Sri Lanka and England will face each other in the first ODI of the England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Thursday, January 22. The venue has historically favoured Sri Lanka, who have dominated England here with nine wins in ten ODIs played between the two sides at this ground.
Match Details: SL vs ENG
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| Match | Sri Lanka vs England, 1st ODI |
| Date | Thursday, 22 January 2026 |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| City | Colombo |
| Toss Time | 2:00 PM IST |
| Match Start Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Live Streaming | FanCode / Sony LIV |
| TV Broadcast | Sony Sports Network |
Match Preview
Sri Lanka will kick off the ODI series at home under the leadership of Charith Asalanka. With strong familiarity with local conditions and a spin-heavy bowling attack, the hosts will look to take early control of the series. Players like Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage are expected to play a crucial role on the slow Colombo surface.
England, led by newly appointed ODI captain Harry Brook, face a stiff challenge in unfamiliar conditions. Brook will need to make smart tactical decisions, especially while handling Sri Lanka’s spinners. England’s experienced batters such as Joe Root and Jos Buttler will be key if the visitors are to put up a competitive fight.
Head-to-Head Record (ODIs): SL vs ENG
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| England | 38 |
| Sri Lanka | 37 |
| No Result / Tie | 4 |
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Weather & Pitch Report: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Weather Report: Colombo is expected to experience mostly sunny weather with temperatures around 28°C. There is only a 10% chance of rain, and humidity levels are likely to be manageable, ensuring uninterrupted play.
- Pitch Report: The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium traditionally plays slow, offering significant assistance to spinners as the match progresses. Batters will need to spend time in the middle before accelerating, making partnerships extremely important.
Probable Playing 11
Sri Lanka (SL) Playing 11
1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kamil Mishara, 3. Kusal Mendis (wk), 4. Charith Asalanka (c), 5. Kamindu Mendis, 6. Dunith Wellalage, 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Dhananjaya de Silva, 9. Milan Rathnayake, 10. Asitha Fernando, 11. Maheesh Theekshana
England (ENG) Playing 11
1. Ben Duckett, 2. Will Jacks, 3. Joe Root, 4. Harry Brook (c), 5. Jacob Bethell, 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Sam Curran, 8. Jamie Overton, 9. Rehan Ahmed, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Brydon Carse
Who Will Win Today’s Match? (AI Prediction)
Sri Lanka hold a clear advantage due to their excellent record at this venue, superior knowledge of conditions, and a bowling attack suited to the surface. England possess quality players, but adapting quickly to spin will be the key challenge.
AI Prediction: Sri Lanka are favourites to win the 1st ODI and take an early lead in the series.
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Disclaimer
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