The Sri Lanka vs England ODI Series 2026 is heading towards a thrilling finish as both teams are set to clash in the series decider. After two low-scoring matches on slow Colombo pitches, the series is now level, and the third ODI will decide the winner.
England finally managed to break their away-ODI jinx in the second match. Once again, Joe Root played a key role with both bat and ball, helping England chase down a modest target. Sri Lanka, despite having most batters reaching double figures, failed to post a challenging total due to the lack of a big individual score.
The final ODI will be played at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Tuesday afternoon.
SL vs ENG Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Sri Lanka vs England ODI Series 2026 |
| Match | Sri Lanka vs England, 3rd ODI |
| Date | Tuesday, 27 January 2026 |
| Time | 02:30 PM IST |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
Match Preview
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka have shown intent but have struggled to convert starts into big scores. In the last match, seven out of eight batters reached double digits, but none could score a half-century, which proved costly.
- Strong start but poor conversion
- Heavy reliance on spinners
- Middle overs batting remains a concern
They will be under pressure but will look to use home conditions to bounce back in the decider.
Key Players:
Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage
England
England looked more disciplined in the second ODI. They planned their chase smartly and handled Sri Lanka’s spinners better than before.
- Joe Root providing stability
- Spin attack making an impact
- Better match awareness in tough conditions
England will back their experience and look to repeat the same strategy in the final game.
Key Players:
Joe Root, Adil Rashid, Sam Curran, Jos Buttler
Head-to-Head Record (ODIs)
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 38 |
| England | 39 |
| No Result / Tied | 4 |
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | L, L, L, W, L |
| England | L, L, L, L, W |
Weather & Pitch Report – Colombo
Weather Update
- Temperature: 28–30°C
- Humidity: 60–65%
- Rain: 20% chance (possible interruptions)
Pitch Report
- Slow and low surface
- Spinners dominate middle overs
- Uneven bounce makes stroke play difficult
- Chasing teams have a slight advantage
Ground Stats – R. Premadasa Stadium (ODIs)
| Record | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 186 |
| Bat First Wins | 103 |
| Bat Second Wins | 71 |
| Tie / No Result | 12 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 230 |
| Highest Score | 375/5 |
| Lowest Score | 50 |
Predicted Playing XI
Sri Lanka
- Kusal Mendis (wk)
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kamil Mishara
- Charith Asalanka (c)
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Pavan Rathnayake
- Janith Liyanage
- Dunith Wellalage
- Pramod Madushan
- Asita Fernando
- Jeffrey Vandersay
England
- Ben Duckett
- Rehan Ahmed
- Joe Root
- Jacob Bethell
- Harry Brook (c)
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Will Jacks
- Sam Curran
- Jamie Overton
- Adil Rashid
- Liam Dawson
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Small League (Safe Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Rehan Ahmed
- Adil Rashid
- Pathum Nissanka
Grand League (Risky Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Charith Asalanka
- Joe Root
- Jos Buttler
- Kusal Mendis
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
The Colombo pitch is expected to remain slow, and rain could again play a role. Spinners will be the key, and the toss may decide the approach.
England executed their plans better in the last match and handled pressure calmly. Sri Lanka still look tentative with the bat, especially when it comes to building a big innings.
Considering recent form and game awareness, England seem to have a slight edge going into the decider.
Predicted Winner: England
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| England | No injury updates |
| Sri Lanka | No injury updates |
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