On this day in 1997, Sri Lankan cricket team got its name registered for a world record by posting a huge total of 952 runs against India. Thereby that also and created a new record by becoming the first team to score highest Test total.
It was in the first test of the two-match series, India won the toss and elected to bat first at R Premadasa Stadium
in Colombo.
India scored 537/8d runs in the first innings in 168 overs due to amazing knocks from skipper Sachin Tendulkar (143) followed by 111 runs and 126 runs by Navjot Sidhu and Mohammad Azharuddin respectively.
In response, Sri Lanka posted a record-breaking total of 952/6d where Sanath Jayasuriya played the best innings of his life as he scored 340 runs which include 36 fours and two sixes and he was equally complimented by Roshan Mahanama who scored 222 runs followed by handy contributions from Aravinda Silva with 126 runs and Arjuna Ranatunga with 86 runs.
Despite being a high scoring game the match was ended in a draw with Jayasuriya being awarded as the Player of the match for his Triple century. After posting 952/6, Sri Lanka surpassed England highest total record of 903/7d in 1938 against Australia at the Oval. Till date, the record of the highest Test total belongs to the Island nation.
Talking about India’s highest score in Test Cricket when they scored 759/7d against England in Chennai. India also won that match by an innings and 75 runs.
