England have won the toss and chosen to bat first against Sri Lanka in the deciding One Day International (ODI) in Colombo, as both sides look to clinch the three-match series.
The match takes place at the R Premadasa Stadium (Khettarama) on Tuesday, with the series locked at 1-1 and history on the line for England.
This SL vs ENG clash matters because England are chasing a rare overseas ODI series win, something that has eluded them in recent years.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, has recalled star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga to strengthen their spin-heavy attack on a surface known to slow down under lights.
Why did England choose to bat first in Colombo?
England captain Harry Brook opted to bat after winning the toss, despite England successfully chasing in the previous match.
The decision reflects long-standing conditions at Khettarama, which has a reputation for becoming harder to bat on as the game goes on. The pitch often grips and slows under floodlights, making chasing totals risky.
A Sri Lanka Cricket official has previously described the venue as “one where timing the chase is more difficult than setting a target”, a view shared by visiting teams over the years.
Key context:
- England chased successfully in the second ODI
- Historically, teams batting first at Khettarama hold an advantage
- January is one of Colombo’s drier months, reducing rain risk
What change has Sri Lanka made for the decider?
Sri Lanka has brought back Wanindu Hasaranga, one of their most impactful white-ball players, after resting him for the first two ODIs.
Hasaranga replaces seam bowler Pramod Madushan, signalling a clear shift towards spin on a surface expected to assist slower bowlers.
This move leaves Sri Lanka with just one frontline fast bowler, Asitha Fernando, supported by part-time seam from Janith Liyanage.
Why Hasaranga matters:
- Proven match-winner with both bat and ball
- Offers control in the middle overs
- Adds depth to Sri Lanka’s lower order
An up close look at the coin 🔍
England have won the toss and will bat first 👊 pic.twitter.com/rewTchxPJ0
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 27, 2026
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka has consistently preferred batting first in this series when winning the toss, underlining the tactical value of scoreboard pressure at this venue.
Why did England keep the same XI?
England have named an unchanged side from Saturday’s win, backing the balance and flexibility that delivered results.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed continues to open the batting in place of Zak Crawley, a move that has raised eyebrows but given England a left-field edge at the top.
England’s spin-heavy attack, featuring Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson, reflects a clear strategy to counter Sri Lanka’s strengths on slow pitches.
England’s confidence signals:
- Trust in squad continuity
- Strong middle-order experience
- Multiple spin options for all conditions
What are the confirmed playing XIs?
England XI
Rehan Ahmed, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid.
Sri Lanka XI
Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka (captain), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando.
What conditions can players expect today?
Blue skies greeted both captains at the toss, with weather conditions looking stable for most of the day. While Colombo can see sudden evening showers, January is typically among the city’s driest months.
That puts even more focus on pitch behaviour rather than weather interruptions.
