Bangladesh is gearing up for an exciting challenge as they face Sri Lanka in the 1st Test of their two-match series at the iconic Galle International Stadium from Tuesday, June 17, to Saturday, June 21.
The series will see the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle start for both the teams, with the final of the Test Mace scheduled to be played in 2027.
Bangladesh are coming off a 1-1 draw in the series against Zimbabwe. They will be looking to correct their mistakes and put on a dominating performance against their subcontinent neighbours.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will look to shrug off their series loss at the hands of Australia as they hope to star their new WTC campaign on a high.
In this article, The Sporting News takes a look at the records of the iconic Galle Stadium in the longest format.
Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
How many Test matches has Galle International Stadium hosted?
The Galle International Stadium has hosted a total of 48 Test matches so far. 26 of these matches have been won by the team batting first, while 16 have been won by the team batting second.
| Team | Won |
|---|---|
| Batting First | 26 |
| Batting Second | 16 |
| Draw | 6 |
How many spectators can Galle International Stadium hold?
Galle International Stadium has a seating capacity of about 35,000 spectators.
Galle International Stadium: Pitch Report
Galle International Stadium is known for its spin-friendly conditions. Over the years, the pitch has favoured spinners more as the game progresses, making it challenging for teams batting last.
The initial few days may offer less spin, but as the game progresses and cracks begin to appear, spinners dominate.
This trend was evident in the recent matches, including Sri Lanka's win in the first Test against New Zealand.
Bet on SL vs. BAN and get 150% deposit match up to ₹150,000 when you sign up with Dafabet
Galle International Stadium: Average scores and toss results in Tests
| Average first innings score in Galle | 369 |
|---|---|
| Matches won after batting first | 25 |
| Matches won by chasing team | 15 |
What happened in the previous Test match at Galle International Stadium?
In the last match at Galle, Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 9 wickets in the second Test in Galle to complete a 2-0 series sweep.
Sri Lanka scored 257 in their first innings, only to be bettered by the Aussies as they scored a mammoth 414 runs. The Lankan Lions could only manage 231 in their second innings, posting a meager target of 75, which the Kangaroos chased easily.
What is the highest team total at Galle International Stadium?
The highest Test total at the Galle International Stadium was posted by Sri Lanka in 2023. Ireland scored 492 runs in their first innings and thought it was enough, but Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 704/3 put all their efforts in vain. Ireland could only manage to score 202, losing the match by an inning and 10 runs.
Nisan Madushka and Kusal Mendis bagged double-hundreds each, while Dimuth Karunaratane and Angelo Mathews brought up their respective centuries.
What is the lowest team total at Galle International Stadium?
The lowest total at this venue was registered by South Africa in 2018. Chasing 352 for victory, the Proteas were bowled out for a mere 73 runs, as Sri Lanka claimed a convincing 278-run win.
Which batter has scored the most runs at Galle International Stadium?
Sri Lankan cricket legend Mahela Jayawardene holds the record for most runs at this venue. He amassed 2,382 runs at an impressive average of 70.05, including seven centuries and 12 fifties. His highest score at Galle is 237, which he achieved against South Africa in 2004.
Which bowler has taken the most wickets at Galle International Stadium?
The top wicket-taker at Galle International Stadium is Muttiah Muralitharan. The legendary off-spinner claimed 111 wickets at an average of 18.50, including several match-winning performances. His dominance at this venue is unparalleled in Test cricket.
What is the highest individual score at Galle International Stadium?
Chris Gayle holds the record for the highest individual score at Galle. The West Indian opener scored 333 runs against Sri Lanka in 2010, a monumental innings that included 34 boundaries and nine sixes.
What are the best bowling figures in an innings at Galle International Stadium?
The best bowling figures in an innings at this ground belong to Muttiah Muralitharan, who took 7/46 against England in 2003. His outstanding performance helped Sri Lanka secure a commanding position in the match.
What are the best bowling figures in a match at Galle International Stadium?
Muralitharan also holds the record for the best match figures at Galle. He took 13/171 against South Africa in 2000, leading Sri Lanka to a victory by an innings and 15 runs.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 1st Test: Betting odds
According to Dafabet, the 1st Test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is likely to end up in a draw.
| Team | Betting odds |
| Sri Lanka | 3.70 |
| Australia | 3.70 |
CLICK HERE to bet on SL vs. BAN with Dafabet
RELATED LINKS: