Decoding Sri Lanka's biggest innings defeats in Test cricket
What's the story
Australia recorded a massive innings triumph in the first Test against Sri Lanka, played in Galle.
In response to Australia's first innings score of 654/6d, the Lankan team could only manage 165/10 and 247/10 in their two innings.
The Lankans lost 15 wickets on Day 4 thanks to the spin duo of Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon.
Here we decode SL's biggest innings defeat in Test cricket.
#4
Innings & 222 runs vs Pakistan, 2023
Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan by an innings and 222 runs in the 2023 Colombo Test.
Babar Azam's Pakistani side bowled Sri Lanka out for a paltry 166 runs in the match.
Centurions Abdullah Shafique and Salman Agha helped Pakistan declare at 576/5, paving the way for Noman Ali to take seven wickets and win his team a thumping victory.
The Lankans were folded for 188 in their second outing.
#3
Innings & 229 runs vs South Africa, 2001
The third biggest defeat for Sri Lanka came against South Africa in Cape Town in 2001.
The hosts won by an innings and 229 runs. Shaun Pollock's six-wicket haul left Sri Lanka reeling at 95/10 in their first innings.
Daryll Cullinan's century helped South Africa pile up 504/7d, setting up a daunting task for the visitors.
SL could only manage 180/10 in their second innings.
#2
Innings & 239 runs vs India, 2017
Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 239 runs against India in Nagpur in 2017.
The Indian bowlers bundled Sri Lanka for a mere 205 in their first innings.
Centuries from Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Rohit Sharma helped India declare at a mammoth 610/6.
The visitors were then bowled out for a paltry 166 in the third innings.
#1
Innings & 242 runs vs Australia, 2025
Sri Lanka's most humiliating defeat in Test cricket came by an innings and 242 runs against Australia in Galle in 2025.
The Australian side scored a mammoth 654/6d in their first innings, with Usman Khawaja scoring a double century.
Despite Dinesh Chandimal's 72, SL were folded for 165 in their first innings.
The Aussies hence en forced a follow on as the hosts perished for 247 in their second outing.