Sri Lanka and England will face off in the third and final ODI of the England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Tuesday, January 27. With the series locked at 1-1, the decider promises an intense battle as both teams aim to clinch the three-match series.
Match Details: SL vs ENG
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| Match | Sri Lanka vs England, 3rd ODI (Decider) |
| Date | Tuesday, 27 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 have been competitive throughout the series and will take confidence from their home conditions. Led by Charith Asalanka, the hosts boast a strong spin attack and a balanced batting lineup. Players like Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will be crucial at the top, while all-rounders such as Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya de Silva provide depth in both departments.
England, under Harry Brook’s leadership, bounced back brilliantly in the second ODI. Joe Root’s batting masterclass helped the visitors level the series, and they will be eager to continue that momentum. England’s batting depth and experienced bowling attack make them a formidable opponent, even in subcontinental conditions.
Head-to-Head Record (ODIs): SL vs ENG
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| England | 39 |
| Sri Lanka | 38 |
| No Result / Tied | 4 |
The rivalry has been extremely close over the years, with England holding a narrow overall edge.
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Weather & Pitch Report: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Weather Report: Colombo is expected to be humid with partial cloud cover, and while passing showers are always possible, the venue’s excellent drainage system should ensure a full match.
- Pitch Report: The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium is traditionally spin-friendly. In recent matches, spinners have dominated, and the average first-innings score has been around 224. A total above 240 could prove competitive, and batters will need to build partnerships before accelerating. All-rounders and spinners are expected to play a key role in this decider.
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. Rehan Ahmed, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Joe Root, 4. Jacob Bethell, 5. Harry Brook (c), 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Will Jacks, 8. Sam Curran, 9. Jamie Overton, 10. Liam Dawson, 11. Adil Rashid
Who Will Win Today’s Match? (AI Prediction)
With the series tied, the third ODI is expected to be a closely contested match. Sri Lanka will have the advantage of home conditions and a spin-friendly pitch, which suits their bowling attack. England, however, have strong batters and match-winners who can change the game on their day.
Considering pitch conditions, home advantage, and Sri Lanka’s spin depth, the hosts appear slightly ahead going into the decider. However, England’s batting firepower keeps them firmly in the contest.
AI Match Prediction: Sri Lanka are slightly favoured to win the 3rd ODI and clinch the series, but expect a tight and exciting finish.
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