Sri Lanka and Bangladesh lock horns in the first Test of their two-match series, which also opens the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship. The series begins on June 17, 2025, at the scenic Galle International Stadium. These teams have met 26 times in Tests, with Sri Lanka leading the head-to-head 20–1, along with five draws. Sri Lanka takes the field under new Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva, while Bangladesh enter under the leadership of Najmul Hossain Shanto, retained for another year with Mehidy Hasan Miraz as his deputy.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can watch Sri Vs Ban on Star Sports Network (India), Sky Sports Cricket (UK), Willow TV (US), Fox Sports (Australia), and Ten Sports (Pakistan). Match starts: 10:00 AM IST | 6:30 AM PST | 4:00 AM GMT.
Team Analysis
Bangladesh arrive in Sri Lanka after a 1–1 Test draw against Zimbabwe, and are aiming to start the new WTC cycle on a strong note. Najmul Hossain Shanto, in stellar form, hit a composed century on Day 1 in Galle, anchoring a mammoth 247-run partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim and surpassing national run records in Sri Lanka. This sets a solid tone for their batting in spin-friendly conditions. The experienced duo of Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das adds stability to the middle order. Their ability to handle spin and play long innings will be crucial, especially if Bangladesh bat first into a deteriorating pitch. With Shadman Islam and Anamul Haque opening, the focus will be on forging partnerships and minimizing early breakdown.
Bangladesh’s bowling unit combines seam and spin. Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan provide spin options expected to counter the Galle surface. Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, and the return of Nahid Rana offer pace and bounce. They’ll need to make early inroads to keep Sri Lanka under pressure, particularly under overcast skies. However, their challenge remains consistency: building partnerships and holding nerve on a pitch that deepens turn over time. If they can combine solid starts with disciplined bowling, they could keep the series alive.
Sri Lanka, still stinging from a 0–2 home defeat to Australia, will lean heavily on a strong home advantage. Veteran Angelo Mathews, playing his likely farewell series, joins a core of Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, and Kusal Mendis—batsmen adept at negotiating spin and pace. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva has been solid in the middle order, while Kamindu Mendis brings off-spin variety. With home support and character in the lineup, Sri Lanka’s depth is a strength not to be underestimated.
Their pace trio — Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and new debutant Tharindu Rathnayake — will aim to exploit early seam movement, but it’s the spin duo of Prabath Jayasuriya (a match-winner at Galle) and Akila Dananjaya who hold the key. They’ll aim to turn the screw from Day 2 onwards, targeting Bangladesh’s middle and lower order vulnerabilities. Sri Lanka’s experience at Galle, with 12 wins in 23 Tests, gives them the edge. Their familiarity with the ground—bordered by the Indian Ocean and known for spin-friendly turns—will be key to their strategy.
Match Insights and Conclusion
This Test at Galle International Stadium, with its swirling ocean breeze and spin-friendly cracks from Day 3, is likely to favour the home side. With an average first-innings score around 340, batsmen who negotiate early movement stand a chance, but spinners usually dominate later. Sri Lanka are expected to thrive: their spin attack is potent, and their batting depth suits Galle’s slowly turning conditions. Bangladesh’s success hinges on disciplined batting up front, energy from their seamers, and mirroring that spin strength.
The toss could be decisive—batting first often offers a clearer path. Bangladesh have shown grit so far, and with their openers finding form, they can disrupt Sri Lanka’s dominance. But ultimately, Sri Lanka’s experience, strategy, and familiarity with Galle ground them as strong favourites to clinch the series opener—and send Angelo Mathews off on a high note. If you want to watch Sri Vs Ban live, scroll above and click on the link provided.
