Sri Lanka and England are ready to face each other in the 2nd match of the England tour of Sri Lanka 2026 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Saturday, January 24. This match is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM IST. Stay tuned with our SL vs ENG 2nd ODI prediction, team preview, pitch report, player stats and winner prediction ahead of this exciting contest.
This will be the second match of the three-match ODI series, and both teams will be eager to win for different reasons. Sri Lanka will look to build on their win in the first match and take a strong 2-0 lead by using their home conditions once again. On the other hand, England will be under pressure after losing the opening game and will aim to bounce back to level the series and regain confidence.
Head-to-Head Record: Till now, a total of 80 ODI matches have been played between these two sides, in which both England and Sri Lanka have won 38 matches each. The remaining four games ended with no result or a tie. At the R. Premadasa Stadium, where this series is being played, Sri Lanka have enjoyed clear dominance, winning 10 out of the 11 ODI matches played against England at this venue.
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Sri Lanka Preview
Sri Lanka have made a strong start to the series by defeating England by 19 runs in the first ODI. While their overall ODI form in recent times has not been very impressive, they have once again shown how dangerous they can be in home conditions. Playing on familiar pitches has helped them execute their plans well, and their past record at home gives them confidence in pressure situations.
Most of the Sri Lankan batters are in good form at the moment. Captain Charith Asalanka has been outstanding in 2025, scoring 315 runs in 6 matches at a brilliant average, including two centuries. He has been the backbone of the middle order, combining calmness with attacking intent. Kusal Mendis has also been very consistent, scoring 442 runs in his last 10 matches, and his match-winning knock of 93 in the first ODI shows the form he is carrying into this series.
Sri Lanka also have solid support in batting from players like Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva, who add depth and stability. Young batter Janith Liyanage impressed in the first ODI with a handy contribution, highlighting the growing strength of the squad.
In bowling, Sri Lanka boast a strong spin attack. Wanindu Hasaranga remains their biggest weapon, with an excellent ODI record and proven success at the R. Premadasa Stadium. He is well supported by Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage, and Maheesh Theekshana. In the pace department, Asitha Fernando and Pramod Madushan lead the attack and have been consistent. Together, the spin and pace units have worked well to make full use of the home conditions.
England Preview
England are under pressure coming into this match after a poor run of results. They were whitewashed 3-0 in their last ODI series in New Zealand and have now lost four consecutive ODI matches heading into this tour. While conditions in Sri Lanka are different, England will be desperate to turn things around and deliver a stronger performance to stay alive in the series.
Much will depend on senior batter Joe Root and captain Harry Brook. Root has been in outstanding form, finishing 2025 as the world’s leading ODI run-scorer with 808 runs. He played a calm and controlled knock of 61 runs in the first ODI, showing his ability to handle spin-friendly conditions. His experience and temperament will be crucial if England are to chase or set a competitive total.
Harry Brook has also been consistent, scoring 373 runs in his last 10 matches at an average of 41.44, but his dismissal in the first ODI highlighted the need for better shot selection against spin. England’s batting depth also includes Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, and Jos Buttler, all capable of changing the game on their day.
In bowling, England’s biggest weapon is leg-spinner Adil Rashid. He picked up 3 wickets for 44 runs in the first ODI and has taken 21 wickets in his last 10 matches at an economy rate of 5.82, underlining his excellent form. Supporting him will be left-arm spinner Liam Dawson and all-rounder Sam Curran, who contributes in both departments. The pace attack, led by Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton, will need to strike early in the powerplay to put pressure on Sri Lanka’s batters. A strong bowling effort along with improved batting will be key if England want to level the series.
SL vs ENG Probably Playing XI
Sri Lanka: 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: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook(C), Jos Buttler(WK), Sam Curran, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid.
SL vs ENG Pitch Report
The pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, offers a balanced surface that tests both batters and bowlers. The wicket is good for batting early in the innings, allowing players to play their shots with confidence. However, as the game goes on, the surface slows down and helps the spinners with turn and grip. Pacers may get some help at the start, but spinners become more effective in the middle overs. Batters need to be careful early before settling in. Teams winning the toss usually prefer to bowl first at this venue.
The weather on Saturday at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo is expected to be partly sunny, around 28°C with a 13% chance of rain, high 70% humidity, and moderate winds near 14 km/h.
Venue ODI Statistics
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 185 |
| Matches won batting first | 103 |
| Matches won bowling first | 70 |
| Average 1st innings Score | 230 |
| Average 2nd innings Score | 189 |
| Highest total recorded | 375/5 (50 Ovs) – IND vs SL |
| Lowest total recorded | 50/10 (15.2 Ovs) – SL vs IND |
| Highest score chased | 292/4 (48.3 Ovs) – SL vs AUS |
| Lowest score defended | 170/10 (49.2 Ovs) – WIW vs SLW |
SL vs ENG Winner Prediction
Sri Lanka will be the favourites to win this match. They already have a 1-0 lead in the series, which gives them confidence and momentum. Playing at home is a big advantage for Sri Lanka, especially with their spinners doing well on this pitch. Kusal Mendis is in good form after his strong performance in the first ODI, while players like Janith Liyanage and Dunith Wellalage add balance to the team. Sri Lanka’s ability to use home conditions makes them a tough side to beat here.
England, however, cannot be ruled out. They have quality players who can change the game, with Joe Root’s form and experience being their biggest strength. England have shown in the past that they can fight back under pressure. If their batters apply themselves better and avoid losing quick wickets, they can challenge Sri Lanka. Still, considering current form and conditions, Sri Lanka hold the edge going into this match.
Our Prediction: Sri Lanka
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Code: TOPBK
