Sri Lanka and England face off in a winner-takes-all encounter as the two sides meet for the third and final ODI of the series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. With the series level at 1-1, both teams will be eager to deliver their best performance in what promises to be a tightly contested clash.
Sri Lanka made a strong start to the series by capitalising on familiar conditions, while England responded with a controlled and disciplined display in the second ODI to force a decider. The final match now presents an opportunity for both teams to assert dominance and finish the tour on a positive note.
SL vs ENG 3rd ODI Match Detail :
| Match Details | Sri Lanka vs England, 3rd ODI |
| Series | England tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| Date | Tuesday, January 27, 2026 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venu | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Where to Watch Live Streaming | FanCode & SonyLiv App |
Pitch Report – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo :
The Colombo surface is traditionally known to assist spinners as the game progresses. While batting is manageable early on, stroke-making becomes increasingly difficult once the ball loses its shine. The average first-innings score at this venue reflects the challenge batters face, making partnerships crucial. Teams batting first have often enjoyed success, especially when totals cross the 250-run mark.
SL vs ENG Head-to-Head Record in ODIs :
| Matches Played | 81 |
| Sri Lanka Won | 38 |
| England Won | 39 |
| Tied | 1 |
| No Result | 3 |
Sri Lanka vs England 3rd ODI Probable Playing XIs
Sri Lanka Team:
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando
England Team:
Rehan Ahmed, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid
Sri Lanka vs England Prediction, 3rd ODI Who Will Win :
Both teams are evenly matched, but England appear to have slightly more depth in batting and better adaptability under pressure. If they handle Sri Lanka’s spinners effectively, they should be able to edge past the hosts in the series decider.
🏆 Predicted Winner: England
