The second ODI of the three-match series between Sri Lanka (SL) and England (ENG) will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Saturday, January 24. With Sri Lanka leading the series, England face a must-win situation to keep the contest alive. Interestingly, the ODI head-to-head between the two sides remains perfectly balanced at 38 wins each.
Match Details: SL vs ENG
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| Match | Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd ODI |
| Date | Saturday, 24 January 2026 |
| Time | 02:30 PM IST |
| Toss Time | 02:00 PM IST |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| City | Colombo |
| Live Streaming | FanCode, SonyLIV |
Match Preview
Sri Lanka will head into the contest with confidence, backed by their impressive home record at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The hosts looked composed in the opening ODI, with Kusal Mendis continuing his excellent run of form at the top. The middle order, led by captain Charith Asalanka, adds stability, while the spin duo of Dunith Wellalage and Jeffrey Vandersay is expected to play a crucial role on the slow Colombo surface.
England, meanwhile, will be under pressure after their loss in the series opener. While Joe Root and Ben Duckett showed resistance with the bat, the visitors struggled against spin, particularly in the middle overs. Addressing their middle-order vulnerability will be key if they are to level the series. On the bowling front, Adil Rashid’s leg-spin remains England’s biggest weapon in sub-continental conditions.
Head-to-Head Record (ODIs): SL vs ENG
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka (SL) | 38 |
| England (ENG) | 38 |
| No Result / Tied | 4 |
The rivalry remains evenly poised.
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Weather & Pitch Report: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Weather Report: Colombo is expected to offer ideal cricketing conditions, with clear skies and temperatures hovering around 32°C. Rain is unlikely, ensuring uninterrupted play.
- Pitch Report: The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium generally favors batters early in the innings, allowing stroke-makers to play freely. However, as the match progresses, the surface tends to slow down, offering significant assistance to spinners. The middle overs could prove decisive, with turn and grip making run-scoring difficult.
Probable Playing 11
Sri Lanka (SL) Playing 11
1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kamil Mishara, 3. Kusal Mendis (wk), 4. Dhananjaya de Silva, 5. Charith Asalanka (c), 6. Janith Liyanage, 7. Pavan Rathnayake, 8. Dunith Wellalage, 9. Pramod Madushan, 10. Jeffrey Vandersay, 11. Asitha Fernando
England (ENG) Playing 11
1. Zak Crawley, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Joe Root, 4. Jacob Bethell, 5. Harry Brook (c), 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Sam Curran, 8. Rehan Ahmed, 9. Jamie Overton, 10. Liam Dawson, 11. Adil Rashid
Who Will Win Today’s Match? (AI Prediction)
Sri Lanka appear better suited to the conditions, particularly with their strong spin attack and familiarity with the Colombo surface. Their batting unit also looks more settled heading into the second ODI.
England possess the firepower to bounce back, but unless they handle spin more effectively, they could find it challenging to dictate terms in the middle overs.
AI Match Prediction: Sri Lanka are favourites to win the 2nd ODI against England and take an unassailable series lead.
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