The Sri Lanka vs England ODI Series 2026 begins with the 1st ODI at Colombo, as both teams look to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is just weeks away.
England arrive in Sri Lanka with most of their senior players returning, while Sri Lanka will rely heavily on home conditions and their spin attack. This opening ODI will be a key test for both sides, especially after a long gap since their last 50-over outing.
SL vs ENG Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Sri Lanka vs England ODI Series 2026 |
| Match | Sri Lanka vs England, 1st ODI |
| Date | Thursday, 22 January 2026 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
Match Preview
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka will be confident playing at home, especially at R. Premadasa Stadium, where spinners often dominate.
- Strong spin bowling options
- Batting still inconsistent
- Heavy dependence on middle order
Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Pathum Nissanka will be the key players. Sri Lanka will look to control the middle overs with spin and put pressure on England’s batters.
Key Players:
Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, Maheesh Theekshana
England
England’s biggest strength is their batting depth, but bowling remains a concern.
- Batting-heavy lineup
- Limited experience in bowling attack
- Spin handling will be tested in Sri Lankan conditions
Players like Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jos Buttler will be crucial. England will rely on Adil Rashid’s experience to control Sri Lanka’s middle order.
Key Players:
Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran
Head-to-Head Record (ODIs)
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 37 |
| England | 38 |
| No Result/Tied | 4 |
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Results |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | W, W, L, L, L |
| England | L, W, L, L, L |
Pitch & Weather Report – Colombo
Weather
- Temperature: 26–28°C
- Humidity: 50–55%
- Rain: No rain expected
Pitch Behaviour
- Batting-friendly early
- Assists spinners as match progresses
- Chasing teams have mixed success
Winning Percentage While Chasing: 39%
R. Premadasa Stadium – ODI Stats
| Record | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 184 |
| Batting First Wins | 102 |
| Batting Second Wins | 70 |
| Tie / No Result | 12 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 230 |
| Highest Score | 375/5 |
| Lowest Score | 50 all out |
Predicted Playing XI
Sri Lanka
- Kusal Mendis (WK)
- Pathum Nissanka
- Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Charith Asalanka (C)
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Kamindu Mendis
- Janith Liyanage
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Asitha Fernando
- Maheesh Theekshana
England
- Ben Duckett
- Zak Crawley
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook (C)
- Jos Buttler (WK)
- Sam Curran
- Will Jacks
- Jamie Overton
- Brydon Carse
- Adil Rashid
- Luke Wood
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Small League (Safe Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Charith Asalanka
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Pathum Nissanka
Grand League (High-Risk Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Sam Curran
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Will Jacks
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
Sri Lanka will rely on spin and home conditions, while England will back their batting strength. England’s bowling lacks consistency, but their batting depth gives them an edge.
Considering overall balance:
Predicted Winner: England (slightly ahead)
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| England | No injury updates |
| Sri Lanka | No injury updates |
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