In a thrilling second One-Day International (ODI) at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, England beat Sri Lanka by five wickets to level the three-match series 1–1 on January 24, 2026. The tourists chased down a target of 220 runs, finishing on 223/5 in 46.2 overs, with 22 balls to spare.
England’s Joe Root was the standout performer, scoring a composed 75 runs and also contributing with the ball. His all-round effort earned him Player of the Match honours and played a decisive role in ending England’s long away-ODI drought.
Despite a challenging surface that offered heavy turn, England’s bowlers — particularly spinners — restricted Sri Lanka to 219 all out in their 49.3 overs. The visitors deployed six spin options throughout the innings, with Root himself picking up a couple of crucial wickets.
Sri Lanka fought hard, with Charith Asalanka top-scoring with 45, but the hosts could not build significant partnerships and were unable to set a bigger total. England’s disciplined bowling and smart fielding kept Sri Lanka under pressure throughout their innings.
Post-Match Reactions and Pitch Controversy
England captain Harry Brook praised his team for adapting well to tough conditions but didn’t hold back in his criticism of the pitch, describing it as “probably the worst I’ve ever played on” — a surface that heavily favoured spin and made batting difficult for both sides.
Meanwhile, Joe Root also lauded Brook’s leadership and England’s coaching staff, highlighting the team’s resilience following recent setbacks in other formats of the game.
What’s Next
The deciding 3rd ODI between Sri Lanka and England is scheduled for Tuesday in Colombo, where both teams will look to gain momentum ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
