Sri Lankan cricket team in India in 1997–98

{{Short description|International cricket tour}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}

{{Infobox cricket tour

| series_name = Sri Lankan cricket team in India in 1997–98

| team1_image = Flag of India.svg

| team1_name = India

| team2_image = Flag of Sri Lanka.svg

| team2_name = Sri Lanka

| from_date = 13 November

| to_date = 28 December 1997

| team1_captain = Sachin Tendulkar

| team2_captain = Arjuna Ranatunga

| no_of_tests = 3

| team1_tests_won = 0

| team2_tests_won = 0

| team1_tests_most_runs = Sourav Ganguly (392)

| team2_tests_most_runs = Marvan Atapattu (268)

| team1_tests_most_wickets = Javagal Srinath (9)

| team2_tests_most_wickets = {{nobr|Ravindra Pushpakumara (8),}}
Kumar Dharmasena (8)

| player_of_test_series = Sourav Ganguly (Ind)

| no_of_ODIs = 3

| team1_ODIs_won = 1

| team2_ODIs_won = 1

| team1_ODIs_most_runs = {{nobr|Sachin Tendulkar (88)}}

| team2_ODIs_most_runs = Roshan Mahanama (119)

| team1_ODIs_most_wickets = Debasis Mohanty (6)

| team2_ODIs_most_wickets = Muttiah Muralitharan (4)

| player_of_ODI_series = Roshan Mahanama (SL)

}}

The Sri Lanka national cricket team toured India during the 1997–98 cricket season, playing three Test matches and three One Day Internationals (ODIs).{{cite web|url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1997-98/SL_IN_IND/SL_IN_IND_NOV-DEC1997_SCHEDULE.html |title=Sri Lanka in India, Nov-Dec 1997 – Schedule |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=19 December 2012}} Both series were drawn; all three Tests were draws, and each side won one of the ODIs, tying the series 1–1.{{cite web|url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1997-98/SL_IN_IND/SL_IN_IND_NOV-DEC1997_RESULTS-SUMMARY.html |title=Sri Lanka in India Nov-Dec 1997, Results Summary |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 December 2012}} The other ODI, which was held on 25 December, was abandoned after three overs had been bowled, when after discussion between the two captains and the match referee, it was determined that the inconsistent bounce of the pitch was too dangerous for the players.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64568.html |title=2nd ODI: India v Sri Lanka at Indore, Dec 25, 1997 |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 December 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/230620.html |title=India's Christmas cracker |last=Williamson |first=Martin |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=24 December 2005 |access-date=20 December 2012}} This was the first occasion on which an international cricket match had been called off for this reason.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/149819.html |title=A Christmas gnome |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 December 2012}}

The third ODI was marred by umpiring controversy and disruption from the crowd. During India's innings, Ajay Jadeja was given out, after being caught behind. The umpire initially raised his finger to dismiss the batsman, but then changed his mind, and continued raising his finger to adjust his hat. He then turned down the appeal, and Jadeja continued to bat. Elmo Rodrigopulle, writing for Cricinfo, reported that "it was a mockery on the umpiring fraternity and what umpiring stands for."{{cite web |url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1997-98/SL_IN_IND/ARTICLES/ELMO_COMMENT_30DEC1997.html |title=When umpiring was made a mockery of |last=Rodrigopulle |first=Elmo |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=30 December 1997 |access-date=19 December 2012}} Later, in Sri Lanka's reply, when they were 205 for four, needing just 29 more runs for victory, the game was held up because spectators threw bottles onto the field. After a ten-minute delay, the match resumed, and Sri Lanka won by five wickets.{{cite book |editor-first=Matthew |editor-last=Engel |editor-link=Matthew Engel |title=Wisden Cricketer's Almanack 1999 |edition=136 |year=1999 |publisher=John Wisden & Co. Ltd |location=Guildford, Surrey |isbn=0-947766-50-2 |page=1110 |chapter=The Sri Lankans in India, 1997–98 |last=Cozier |first=Craig}}

The tour began on 13 November, when the Sri Lankans played an Indian XI for Anshuman Gaekwad's benefit match, and concluded with the third ODI on 28 December. Sourav Ganguly was named player of the Test series,{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/1/Sri_Lanka_in_India_1997-98.html |title=Sri Lanka in India 1997/98 |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=19 December 2012}} in which he was the leading run-scorer from either side, aggregating 392 runs.{{cite web|url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1997-98/SL_IN_IND/SL_IN_IND_NOV-DEC1997_TEST_AVS.html |title=Test Series 1997/98 Averages: India v Sri Lanka |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 December 2012}} The most prolific batsman in the ODI series was Sri Lanka's Roshan Mahanama, who was named the player of the ODI series.