Sri Lanka is set to host England for the first ODI of a highly anticipated series on January 22, 2026, at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The match starts at 4am ET, 9am GMT, and 8pm AEDT, with both teams eager to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the T20 World Cup.
The Sri Lankan squad recently appointed Vikram Rathour as their batting coach, a decision made just days before the series begins, indicating a fresh approach as they look to bolster their performance. Sri Lanka enters the ODI series ranked fifth in the world, while England finds itself in eighth place, a position that could prove dire given that only the top eight teams automatically qualify for the upcoming 50-over World Cup.
England, still reeling from a disorganized Ashes series, has opted to continue with Harry Brook as their white-ball captain despite questions about his leadership. His captaincy has been marred by controversies, including allegations of players misbehaving off the field. Yet, amidst this turmoil, the potential of younger players like Jacob Bethell shines through, following his impressive performance in recent matches. Veterans Joe Root and Jos Buttler are expected to provide much-needed stability to the squad as several players look to secure their spots on the international stage.
The T20I squad for Sri Lanka has also undergone changes, with Dasun Shanaka taking over as the captain for that format, while Charith Asalanka steps aside. This indicates a deliberate effort to enhance team dynamics and performance leading into a busy schedule of matches, which includes a total of three ODIs followed by three T20Is.
In terms of viewership, the series will be available on different platforms across various regions. In the UK, viewers can catch the action through TNT Sports via Discovery+, while Indian fans can enjoy the matches on Sony Sports and Sony LIV. Unfortunately, there will be no broadcast available in the US, Australia, or New Zealand, but fans can use a VPN to access streams from abroad.
The series promises to be an exciting contest with both teams aiming to establish their credentials ahead of the World Cup. As anticipation builds, cricket fans worldwide are eager to witness the clash between these two competitive sides.