The 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle kicks off with a fresh five-day contest between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the iconic Galle International Stadium.
Starting on June 17, both teams will be eager to shake off recent red-ball struggles and start their WTC campaigns on a positive note.
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For Sri Lanka, this series is more than just a fresh beginning. Veteran Angelo Mathews is set to bid farewell to Test cricket after this series, following the retirement of former captain Dimuth Karunaratne. After a 0-2 home defeat to Australia earlier this year, Sri Lanka return with a restructured squad featuring six uncapped players, hoping to rediscover their Test form.
Bangladesh, enter the series with just two international wins in 2025 and are visibly low on momentum. Their inconsistent top order and underwhelming away record make them underdogs heading into this clash.
The Sporting News has all the details for this one.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh: Expected lineups
- Sri Lanka (Probable XI): Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Kusal Mendis (WK), Tharindu Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Akila Dananjaya, and Asitha Fernando.
- Bangladesh (Probable XI): Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mushfiqur Rahim, Jaker Ali (WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Hasan Murad, and Hasan Mahmud.
SL vs. BAN: Head-to-head in Test matches
Between 2001 and 2024, Sri Lanka have dominated Bangladesh in Tests, winning 20 of their 26 encounters, with Bangladesh securing just one victory.
- Total matches played: 26
- Sri Lanka wins: 20
- Bangladesh wins: 1
- Draw: 5
Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh: Match predictions and betting tips
As the 2025–27 World Test Championship gets underway in Galle, both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh enter this contest with plenty of questions and several fresh faces in their squads.
Sri Lanka are hoping to rejuvenate their side with six uncapped players, including the spinner Tharindu Rathnayake and the returning Akila Dananjaya. The spin trio, including Prabath Jayasuriya, are expected to be the key on a traditionally turning Galle surface, with Asitha Fernando likely to lead the pace duties.
Bangladesh, stacked up by experienced names like Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque, have struggled for consistency. The inclusion of multiple spinners like Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam and, potentially, Nayeem Hasan or uncapped Hasan Murad points toward a spin-heavy strategy tailored for the conditions. But concerns remain around their fragile top-order and unreliable away record.
Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh: Players to watch
- Top Sri Lanka batter: Kusal Mendis is likely to anchor the top order for the Sri Lankans.
- Top Bangladesh batter: Mushfiqur Rahim is experienced and overdue for a meaningful innings.
- Top Sri Lanka wicket-taker: Prabath Jayasuriya will be the main spin threat on a turning Galle track.
- Top Bangladesh wicket-taker: Mehidy Hasan Miraz is expected to bowl long spells and exploit rough patches.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh: Latest betting odds
According to Parimatch, Sri Lanka is the favourite to win the match with their superior spin options, home advantage, and dominant head-to-head records.
| Odds* |
Sri Lanka | 1.36 |
Bangladesh | 3.16 |
SL vs. BAN: Pitch and weather report
The Galle International Stadium continues to uphold its reputation as a spinner’s paradise. Since the start of 2020, the venue has seen spinners claim a staggering 373 wickets with a wicket falling to spin roughly every 10 overs. Expect more of the same in this Test, as the surface is again likely to offer significant turn and grip for slow bowlers throughout the match.
Galle has also produced batting-friendly conditions at times, with two 600-plus first-innings scores recorded in the past nine months, suggesting that batters who settle in can still score big.
The biggest variable might be the weather, as rain is forecast on all five days of the Test. Interruptions are almost inevitable, which could significantly impact the pace and outcome of the match.
It will also favour sides with tighter and more economical bowling attacks.
SL vs. BAN: Where to watch in India?
Watch Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh on the Sony Sports network and stream the same on SonyLiv and FanCode (Start time: 10:00am IST).