Sri Lanka will host England in the 1st ODI of the three-match series on January 22, 2026, at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo. This is England’s first assignment after a disappointing Ashes defeat in Australia, while Sri Lanka look to bounce back after a 0-3 whitewash against Pakistan.
This ODI series is crucial for both teams’ ICC ODI World Cup 2027 qualification and serves as preparation ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
This article provides a detailed Dream11 prediction, match details, head-to-head records, and key players for this ODI encounter.
Sri Lanka vs England 1st ODI Preview
The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host all three ODIs. The match starts at 2:30 PM IST (2:00 PM Local).
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sri Lanka vs England, 1st ODI |
| Date | 22 January 2026 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM Local / 9:00 AM GMT |
| Venue | R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo |
| Series | England tour of Sri Lanka 2026 (3 ODIs + 3 T20Is) |
Series Schedule:
- 1st ODI: January 22 – RPICS, Colombo
- 2nd ODI: January 24 – RPICS, Colombo
- 3rd ODI: January 27 – RPICS, Colombo
- 1st T20I: January 30 – PICS, Pallekele
- 2nd T20I: February 1 – PICS, Pallekele
- 3rd T20I: February 3 – PICS, Pallekele
Context: This series is crucial for both teams:
- England needs wins to maintain its position in the ICC ODI Super League for the 2027 World Cup qualification (currently at risk of missing automatic qualification)
- Sri Lanka is hosting ahead of co-hosting the T20 World Cup 2026, building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup
- Both teams coming off 0-3 ODI series whitewashes (England vs NZ, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan)
Pitch Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (Khettarama) |
| Pitch Type | Spin-friendly, slow turner |
| Average Score (ODI) | ~231 runs |
| Nature | Favors spinners significantly; slows down as the match progresses |
| Pace Factor | Some assistance for pacers with the new ball; movement diminishes quickly |
| Spin Factor | Significant grip and turn, especially in middle and death overs |
| Boundaries | Square: 63-67m, Straight: 71-80m |
| Toss Factor | Teams batting first have an advantage; the pitch deteriorates for batting second |
The R. Premadasa pitch is renowned as a spinner’s paradise. The surface offers grip and turn, especially as the match progresses. Sri Lanka’s spin attack will be key here. England batters will face a significant test against Hasaranga, Theekshana, and Vandersay.
Weather Report
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 29-31°C (hot and humid) |
| Humidity | High (~80%) |
| Wind | Light to moderate |
| Rain Chance | Possible evening showers (typical Colombo weather) |
| Overall | Hot, humid – typical Sri Lankan conditions |
Injury Updates
Sri Lanka: No major injury concern
England: Jofra Archer is out with a left side strain from the Ashes, rehabbing for the T20 World Cup. The rest of the squad is available for the match
Dream11 Team For SL vs ENG
SL vs ENG Head-to-Head Records
Sri Lanka and England have a rich ODI history spanning over 40 years.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total ODI Matches | 79 |
| England Wins | 38 |
| Sri Lanka Wins | 37 |
| Tied | 1 |
| No Result | 3 |
Last Five ODI Meetings
- Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets (with 146 balls remaining) 26-Oct-2023
- No result 04-Jul-2021
- England won by 8 wickets (with 42 balls remaining) 01-Jul-2021
- England won by 5 wickets (with 91 balls remaining) 29-Jun-2021
- Sri Lanka won by 20 runs, 21-Jun-2019
Suggested Reads:
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Charith Asalanka (SL) | Captain, in sensational form – 490 runs in 9 ODIs at avg 61.25. Home advantage. |
| Joe Root (ENG) | Best England batter vs spin – 508 runs in 10 ODIs at avg 56.44. Crucial in the subcontinent. |
| Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | World-class leg-spinner on home soil. R. Premadasa’s pitch suits him perfectly. |
| Maheesh Theekshana (SL) | Mystery spinner, 17 wickets in 8 matches at economy 4.68. Nightmare for English batters. |
| Asitha Fernando (SL) | Lead pacer, 19 wickets in 9 ODIs. Can exploit any early movement. |
| Kusal Mendis (SL) | Aggressive keeper-batter, 442 runs in 10 ODIs at avg 44.2. |
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