Sri Lanka vs England Prediction: Who Will Win SL vs ENG 2nd ODI Match on 24th January 2026?
The Sri Lanka vs England prediction for the 2nd ODI of the three-match series becomes crucial as the hosts look to seal the series, while England aim to stay alive. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 24th January 2026 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, a venue where Sri Lanka traditionally enjoy strong home advantage. Cricketwebs brings you detailed and reliable match prediction insights for this contest.
Sri Lanka drew first blood in the opening ODI with a disciplined bowling performance, defending a modest total to win by 19 runs. While their batting did not fully click, the spinners exploited the conditions perfectly, exposing England’s recent struggles against slow bowling. With Sri Lanka winning eight of their last ten matches at this venue, confidence will be high going into the second game.
England, meanwhile, are under pressure. Having won just one of their last seven ODIs, their form is a growing concern. Despite starting well in the chase in the first ODI, a middle-order collapse cost them the match. England’s batters have found it difficult to rotate strike against quality spin, an issue that could again haunt them in Colombo.
From a tactical standpoint, this Sri Lanka vs England prediction hinges on England’s ability to adapt to subcontinent conditions and Sri Lanka’s batting improvement. If the hosts manage a stronger top-order display, they could post a challenging total. England possess firepower, but execution against spin remains the key question.
With the series at stake and contrasting momentum between the sides, the 2nd ODI promises a competitive battle between Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling unit and England’s aggressive yet inconsistent batting lineup.
- Sri Lanka lead the series 1–0 after a strong bowling display
- England have won only one of their last seven ODIs
- Spin expected to play a major role in Colombo conditions
- Sri Lanka hold a dominant record at this venue
Match Details
| Match | SL vs ENG, 2nd ODI |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, 24 January 2026 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo |
Team Previews
Sri Lanka Preview
Sri Lanka head into the second ODI with confidence after executing their plans perfectly in the series opener. Captain Charith Asalanka will be particularly pleased with the bowling unit, which showed discipline and patience in the middle overs to defend a below-par total. However, the skipper will expect a stronger showing from his batters, especially in the top and middle order.
Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara provided a steady start in the first game, but converting starts into big scores remains an area for improvement. Kusal Mendis has been in good form and will be key in anchoring the innings, while Dhananjaya de Silva and Asalanka add stability and experience in the middle order. Lower-order contributions from Janith Liyanage and Pavan Rathnayake could prove vital in pushing the total beyond 260 on a slow surface.
Sri Lanka’s bowling is their biggest strength in Colombo. Asitha Fernando and Pramod Madushan can exploit early movement with the new ball, while the spin trio of Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Dhananjaya de Silva offer control and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs. Their collective effort in the first ODI exposed England’s vulnerability against spin, a trend Sri Lanka will aim to repeat.
Given their strong record at this venue and growing confidence, Sri Lanka will look to play smart cricket, bat with more intent, and once again rely on their bowlers to apply sustained pressure.
England Preview
England enter the 2nd ODI under pressure after another disappointing loss in what has been a difficult ODI phase. Captain Harry Brook acknowledged that while the bowlers did their job in the first game, the batting unit failed to finish the chase from a strong position.
The top order showed promise, with Ben Duckett looking fluent. England will need solid starts from Duckett and Zak Crawley to counter Sri Lanka’s new-ball bowlers. Joe Root’s role becomes critical in the middle overs, especially against spin, where his experience and strike rotation are invaluable. Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell must provide stability, while the lower order, featuring Sam Curran and Jamie Overton, adds depth and late-order firepower.
Bowling-wise, England were competitive. Sam Curran and Jamie Overton bowled disciplined spells, while Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson extracted turn and control in the middle overs. Rehan Ahmed’s role as a supporting spinner could be crucial, especially if the pitch slows further.
England’s challenge lies in adapting their batting approach to Sri Lankan conditions. If they can show patience against spin and avoid collapses, they have the quality to level the series. However, recent form suggests inconsistency remains their biggest hurdle.
Team Squads
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando
England: Harry Brook (c), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid
Probable Playing XI
| Sri Lanka | England |
|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | Zak Crawley |
| Kamil Mishara | Ben Duckett |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | Joe Root |
| Charith Asalanka (c) | Harry Brook (c) |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | Jacob Bethell |
| Janith Liyanage | Jos Buttler (wk) |
| Pavan Rathnayake | Sam Curran |
| Dunith Wellalage | Rehan Ahmed |
| Jeffrey Vandersay | Jamie Overton |
| Pramod Madushan | Liam Dawson |
| Asitha Fernando | Adil Rashid |
Sri Lanka vs England Today’s Fantasy Prediction – 24th January
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Batters | Pathum Nissanka, Ben Duckett, Joe Root |
| All-rounders | Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sam Curran |
| Wicketkeeper | Kusal Mendis |
| Bowlers | Dunith Wellalage, Adil Rashid, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay |
This fantasy combination focuses on players who are most likely to influence the game in Colombo conditions. Pathum Nissanka and Ben Duckett are chosen for their ability to provide solid starts. Joe Root remains a premium pick due to his consistency and proven skill against spin. Kusal Mendis is selected as wicketkeeper for his recent form and middle-order stability.
All-rounders play a vital role in fantasy scoring. Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva contribute in both departments for Sri Lanka, while Sam Curran adds value with both bat and ball for England. In bowling, Dunith Wellalage and Jeffrey Vandersay are strong spin options, expected to exploit England’s weaknesses. Adil Rashid remains England’s most reliable wicket-taker in Asian conditions, while Asitha Fernando offers early breakthroughs with pace.
Captain Choices: Charith Asalanka, Joe Root
Vice-Captain Choices: Dhananjaya de Silva, Sam Curran
Players to Avoid: Jamie Overton, Pavan Rathnayake
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team Today – Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka start as favourites in this contest due to their excellent record at the R. Premadasa Stadium and current momentum in the series. Their bowling attack, particularly the spinners, has consistently troubled England’s batting lineup. With England struggling for form in ODIs and showing vulnerability against spin, Sri Lanka’s strengths align perfectly with the conditions. If the hosts improve their batting slightly compared to the first ODI, they should have enough runs on the board to apply pressure. Overall balance, familiarity with conditions, and confidence give Sri Lanka the edge.
Sri Lanka ODI History
| Matches | Won | Lost | NR | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 943 | 435 | 461 | 41 | 6 |
Sri Lanka have a rich ODI history, known for strong performances at home, especially on spin-friendly surfaces that suit their traditional bowling strengths.
England ODI History
| Matches | Won | Lost | NR | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 822 | 407 | 376 | 31 | 8 |
England’s ODI legacy features aggressive batting and innovation, though recent results indicate a decline in consistency, particularly in subcontinent conditions.
Head-to-Head Stats
| Matches | SL Won | ENG Won | NR | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 38 | 38 | 3 | 1 |
At R. Premadasa Stadium
| Matches | SL Won | ENG Won |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 10 | 1 |
The rivalry is evenly balanced overall, but Sri Lanka dominate England at Colombo, highlighting their home advantage.
Pitch Report
The pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium is traditionally slow, offering turn and grip as the game progresses. Spinners play a decisive role, especially in the middle overs. Batters must show patience and rotate strike to build partnerships. Scores around 260 are competitive.
Weather Report
Colombo is expected to have warm and humid conditions with temperatures around 28–30°C. There is minimal chance of rain, ensuring a full game. Humidity may aid spinners later in the match, making batting challenging in the second innings.
Broadcast Details
The match will be broadcast live on Ten Sports Network, with digital streaming available on FanCode and SonyLiv App. Coverage will begin before the scheduled start time.
Toss Prediction
The toss could play a key role, with teams likely to bat first and put runs on the board. Chasing can be difficult under lights as the pitch slows down.
Probable Batsman & Bowler
Probable Batsman: Charith Asalanka – The Sri Lankan skipper is expected to anchor the innings and counter England’s spinners with smart shot selection. His calm temperament suits pressure games.
Probable Bowler: Dunith Wellalage – Wellalage’s control and variation make him a major threat in Colombo. His ability to pick wickets in the middle overs could define the outcome.
Match Prediction
Considering recent form, conditions, and team balance, this Sri Lanka vs England prediction favours Sri Lanka. Their spinners are well-suited to the Colombo surface, and England’s batting struggles against spin remain a concern. If Sri Lanka manage a competitive total, their bowlers should be capable of defending it and securing the series with another disciplined performance.
Winner: Sri Lanka Will Win
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
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