Overview:
Both teams are expected to go in with heavy spin options. Sri Lanka will be slightly ahead given the series is at home and they enjoy playing England here.
The Sri Lankan men’s cricket team is set to take on England in a three-match ODI series, starting January 22. Notably, the 2nd and third ODI will be played on January 24 and 27 respectively. All the three matches of this ODI series will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Both sides come into this series on the back of being humiliated in their previous ODI series in November 2025. England suffered in the hands of New Zealand whereas Sri Lanka were blanked by Pakistan.
With the next ODI World Cup in 2027 and will be held in India and Sri Lanka, this series can be a starting block for the visitors as to witness how they go about their business and address aspects of their game.
For Sri Lanka, it’s about doing their homework well at home. Sri Lanka will want to perform well in front of their fans and play an impressive brand of cricket.
What is the Context of the SL vs ENG match?
England announced their squad of 15 for the ODI series on December 30, 2025. Harry Brook is set to lead the team which welcomed back Zak Crawley. England have some big experienced names in the form of Jos Butter and Adil Rashid. Brook’s side also boast of quality all-rounders.
For the Sri Lankan team, Charith Asalanka will lead the side. A 17-member squad was announced on January 21, a day before the series opener. Sri Lanka named a strong squad with plenty of firepower in the ranks.
Sri Lanka and England have faced each other 79 times in ODI cricket. Sri Lanka have claimed 37 wins with England managing 38. One match was tied and three games have not had any results.
As per ESPNcricinfo, on Lanka soil, the two sides have clashed 26 times. Hosts Sri Lanka have claimed 16 wins compared to England’s 9. One game didn’t have a result. At the R. Premadasa Stadium, the two teams have met 10 times. Sri Lanka have dominated with a 9-1 win-loss record.
The 1st ODI between Sri Lanka and England will start at 2:30 pm IST on January 22 in Colombo. Meanwhile, the 2nd and 3rd ODI will be played in the same venue.
Sri Lanka – Probable Playing XI
Pathum Nissanka: The multi-format player can be a workforce. In 74 ODIs, Nissanka averages 40.91 with 2823 runs under his belt.
Kusal Mendis: He remains the most vital cog in this batting unit. With 4751 runs from 151 matches, Mendis with 40 fifty-plus scores can frustrate England.
Kamil Mishara: He is likely to come in at number three. In the 3 ODIs he has played, a total of 94 runs have flown from his willow.
Dhananjaya de Silva: He brings tuning in this middle order. An all-rounder, de Silva owns 1865 runs in ODIs a 25.90.
Sadeera Samarawickrama: The middle order batter is closing in on 1500 ODI runs. He averages a decent 32.35.
Charith Asalanka (c): A fierce player, Asalanka boasts over 1000 runs in Colombo with a fine average. Overall, he has 2600-plus runs in 80 Odis.
Janith Liyanage: He will aim to provide the finishing touches. With 910 runs at 45-plus average, Liyanage is a strong act.
Wanindu Hasaranga: He will lead the Lankan attack. Hasaranga is a trump card for the hosts. He owns over 1100 runs and has picked 111 scalps from 68 ODIs.
Maheesh Theekshana: He would be complementing hasaranga with his spin show. In 59 ODIs, he owns 79 wickets at 28.03.
Asitha Fernando: The pacer is a decent figure in this Sri Lankan side. In 27 ODIs, he owns 36 wickets.
Pramod Madushan: In 11 ODIs, he has picked 13 scalps for Sri Lanka at a dismal 41.84.
Player to watch out for (Wanindu Hasaranga): The senior all-rounder will want to bring his A game. He has a sound record at home in ODIs.
England – Probable Playing XI
Ben Duckett : The England southpaw will aim to take on the home team from the start with his aggressive play. He averages 41.23 and owns 1200-plus runs.
Tom Banton : He will open alongside Duckett. In 7 ODIs, he owns 172 runs at 28.66. He last played an ODI in February 2025.
Joe Root: He is England’s top scorer in ODIs with 7330 runs at 48.54. He has 19 tons and 43 fifties.
Harry Brook (c): The England skipper owns 1170 ODI runs at 36.56. He has a crucial role in this batting unit.
Jos Buttler (wk): He is a top performer and will be keen to make his presence felt. Buttler is 37 runs shy of completing 5500 ODI runs.
Jacob Bethell: He will be aiming to bring his all-round play. Bethell averages 34-plus from 18 ODIs in England colours.
Will Jacks: The all-rounder is another key option with bat and ball. He owns 621 runs from 21 ODIs with a SR of 104-plus.
Sam Curran: He comes to this series on the back of impressive shows in ILt20 and the BBL. Curran with his left-arm pace and big-hitting exploits will be a key figure.
Jamie Overton: Being 10 ODIs old, he has bagged 10 scalps at 27.80. He was last seen in the ODI series against NZ in November 2025.
Adil Rashid: He is England’s leading wicket-taker among spinners and the 2nd-highest overall. He has claimed 235 wickets at 31.62.
Brydon Carse: In 30 ODIs, he has 34 scalps under his belt at 40.44. He owns an ER of 6.34.
Player to watch out for (Joe Root): He is a top ODI player and England will count on his attributes.
Top Batters for Dream11
In terms of the Dream11 team pick, among batters, the likes of Kusal Mendis, Joe Root and Harry Brook can be wise picks alongside Pathum Nissanka and Ben Duckett.
Jos Buttler can be a differential pick. He promises stability and able partnerships.
Best All-Rounders to Boost Points
In terms of all-rounders, one can go with two sound options in the form of Sam Curran and Sri Lankan powerhouse Wanindu Hasaranga.
Bowlers to Watch in Dream11
With the surface expected to help spinners, the likes of Adil Rashid and Maheesh theekshana can be wise picks. Asitha Fernando can be the pace option.
Captain and Vice-captain picks
Root can be an ideal captaincy option with Nissanka being the vice-captain pick.
One can mix it with Hasaranga being picked as captain and having Buttler as the vice-captain.
Pitch Report & Venue Conditions
The R. Premadasa Stadium offers a balanced surface which is flat in nature but deteriorates as the match progresses. The surface starts favouring spinners as the game wears on. The black-soil wicket provides consistent bounce early but becomes slower and grippier, assisting turn and variable bounce in the middle overs. Pacers get minimal seam or swing, especially under day-night conditions, making it a spinner’s paradise for subcontinental clashes.
Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?
All things considered, both sides will be up for it on a surface that will help spin once the game progresses. Both teams are expected to go in with heavy spin options. Sri Lanka will be slightly ahead given the series is at home and they enjoy playing England here.
FAQs About SL vs ENG Playing 11
Who are the key players in the SL vs ENG clash?
For the Lankans, Wanindu Hasaranga will want to bring his A game. He has a sound record at home in ODIs. For England, Joe Root can be ominous for Sri Lanka. He is a sheer run-scorer.