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When a Test victory led to a nationwide celebration and a public holiday the following day? (06 Aug 2001)
As Sri Lanka awaited India's visit to their shores in August 1985,
they were still without a Test victory. They had lost eight of the
12 Tests they had played since their first in 1982. Even though the
Indians went to Sri Lanka quite unprepared since it was so early in
the season, it was felt that they still had enough ammunition to get
the better of Sri Lanka. However, the Indians received a clear warning
signal when the home team came close to winning the first Test at the
Sinhalese Sports Club grounds in Colombo.
The second Test started two days later at the P Saravanamuttu stadium,
also in Colombo. Sri Lanka led off with 385 and then dismissed India
for 244. They consolidated their position by declaring the second
innings at 206 for three. This left India to get 348 in 333 minutes
and 20 mandatory overs with just over a day left. Even at this stage,
a draw appeared the most likely result. But the Indians collapsed
unaccountably and the Sri Lankans pulled off a historic 149-run
victory for their first victory in 14 Tests. It was September 11, 1985
- a date linked indissolubly with everything historic about Sri Lankan
cricket. The cricket crazy country, where the game is almost a
religion, went wild with delight, there were nationwide
celebrations and the government declared a public holiday the
following day.
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Results & Scores
Sri Lanka won by 121 runs
Sri Lanka 295/5 (50 ov)
India 174 (47.2 ov)
[Scorecard]
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