Quick answer
Indian cricket fans in Sri Lanka usually see white-ball matches at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where an India night is one of the loudest occasions in Sri Lankan cricket, and at Pallekele near Kandy, along with Tests at Galle and the SSC. Asia Cup matches have also been played in Colombo and Kandy. Flights from southern India take about an hour to an hour and a half. Check the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket for schedules.
Key takeaways
- India and Sri Lanka play each other often, home and away.
- India nights at the Premadasa are among the loudest in Sri Lanka.
- Tests are usually at Galle, the SSC or the P Sara Oval.
- Flights from Chennai take about an hour; from Delhi or Mumbai, about three.
- Indian passport holders need an ETA; check current rules and waivers.
India in Sri Lanka
India's visits to Sri Lanka include some of the most memorable matches at Sri Lankan grounds. In 1997, Sri Lanka made 952 for 6 against India at the Premadasa, the highest Test total. In 2010, Muttiah Muralitharan took his 800th and final Test wicket against India at Galle.
India have won Test series in Sri Lanka, including a 3-0 sweep in 2017, and the two teams have met in many white-ball series, Asia Cups and tournament finals. In 2023, India beat Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final at the Premadasa.
The rivalry is intense on the field but friendly in the stands, and Indian fans are generally welcomed warmly.
- →1997: Sri Lanka's 952 against India.
- →2010: Murali's 800th, against India at Galle.
- →2023: the Asia Cup final at the Premadasa.
The Premadasa on an India night
An India match at the R Premadasa Stadium is one of the biggest occasions in Sri Lankan cricket. The bowl fills with fans in both colours, papare bands and Indian supporters compete for noise, and the atmosphere under lights is extraordinary.
Tickets for India matches sell fast, so buy through official channels as soon as they go on sale. Covered side-on seats are the most comfortable; open terraces near the bands are the loudest.
Traffic around the stadium is heavy before and after India matches, so arrive early and agree a pick-up point with your driver.
- →Tickets: sell fast for India matches.
- →Atmosphere: among the loudest in Sri Lanka.
- →Arrive early.
Other grounds
Pallekele near Kandy has hosted India in white-ball cricket and Tests, and its grass banks and hills make it a favourite for travelling fans. Kandy's Temple of the Tooth and lake are half an hour away, and the city is well used to Indian visitors.
India Tests have been played at Galle, the SSC and the P Sara Oval, with Galle's fort and ramparts making it the most memorable. Dambulla and Hambantota have hosted India in white-ball matches and Asia Cups.
Lankan Stays & Trails can plan a trip around an India series, with drivers between grounds and sightseeing on the days in between.
Practical tips for Indian fans
Flights from Chennai to Colombo take about an hour, from Bengaluru, Kochi or Hyderabad about an hour and a half, and from Mumbai or Delhi about three hours. Bandaranaike International Airport is about 45 minutes to an hour from central Colombo.
Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, though waivers have applied at times; check the official site for current rules and fees. Indian rupees can be exchanged in Sri Lanka, but Sri Lankan rupees are needed for most purchases, and Indian cards work at many ATMs.
Sri Lanka is on the same time as India, UTC+5:30, so there is no jet lag, and match times are the same as at home.
- →Flight from Chennai: about an hour.
- →Entry: ETA, check current waivers.
- →Same time zone as India.
Food, culture and connections
Indian fans will find much that feels familiar in Sri Lanka: Hindu temples in Colombo and the north, Tamil spoken in many places, and food with links to South Indian cooking, though Sri Lankan rice and curry, hoppers and kottu have their own character.
Buddhist temples have their own etiquette: cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue. Poya days, the monthly full-moon holidays, bring alcohol restrictions.
Many Indian visitors add a Ramayana trail, with sites associated with the epic in the hill country and the south.
- →Hindu temples: Colombo, Kandy and the north.
- →Food: familiar but distinct.
- →Add-on: a Ramayana trail.
Planning a trip
Because flights are short and there is no jet lag, many Indian fans fly in for a single match or a long weekend. Others combine a series with a week of sightseeing: Kandy and the hill country, the Cultural Triangle or the south-coast beaches.
Check the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket for current schedules, and book flights and hotels early for big series, when demand from India is high.
The companion pages cover each ground's history and the best places to sit.
Frequently asked questions
When does India play in Sri Lanka?
India tours Sri Lanka frequently for Tests and white-ball series, and Sri Lanka has hosted Asia Cups featuring India. Timing varies from year to year. Check the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket for current schedules, and book early for big series.
Which Sri Lankan grounds does India play at?
India has played Tests at Galle, the SSC and the P Sara Oval, and white-ball matches at the Premadasa, Pallekele, Dambulla and Hambantota. The Premadasa hosted the 2023 Asia Cup final, which India won. Venues change from series to series.
How long is the flight from India to Sri Lanka?
Flights from Chennai to Colombo take about an hour, from Bengaluru, Kochi or Hyderabad about an hour and a half, and from Mumbai or Delhi about three hours. Bandaranaike International Airport is about 45 minutes to an hour from central Colombo.
Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, though fee waivers have applied at times. Rules change, so check the official ETA site before travelling and carry a passport valid for at least six months.
Is there a time difference between India and Sri Lanka?
No. Sri Lanka and India share the same time zone, UTC+5:30, so there is no jet lag and match times are the same as they would be in India. This makes short cricket trips especially easy.
Are Indian fans welcome at Sri Lankan grounds?
Yes. The rivalry is intense on the field but friendly in the stands, and Indian fans are generally welcomed warmly. India matches draw huge crowds of both sets of fans, especially at the Premadasa, and the atmosphere is festive.
Can I use Indian rupees in Sri Lanka?
Indian rupees can be exchanged at banks and money changers, but Sri Lankan rupees are needed for most purchases, including at cricket grounds. Indian debit and credit cards work at many ATMs and hotels. Carry cash for tuk-tuks and food stalls.