Match time, venue, and what to expect
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh hit reset in white-ball cricket with the 1st ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The ground is a day-night staple, and the first ball is scheduled for around 2:30 PM IST, with the toss about 30 minutes earlier. It’s the opener of a three-match ODI series on a surface that usually rewards smart batting early and crafty spin later.
Context matters here. Sri Lanka just edged the Test series 1–0, and the hosts have leaned into a balanced squad under Charith Asalanka’s captaincy. Bangladesh, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, arrive with a sharper look too: Litton Das returns to the ODI fold after a rough patch, while pace spearheads Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman are back from injury. That adds teeth to a side that needed both runs at the top and control at the death.
Head-to-head? Sri Lanka have dominated this rivalry in ODIs with 42 wins from 57, Bangladesh 13, with two no-results. But that margin hides how much tighter their recent contests have become, especially when Bangladesh get early movement or their spinners find grip. Colombo can do both—new-ball carry under lights and later turn from the middle overs.
The venue itself is a storyline. R. Premadasa’s ODI pitch often starts true, slows through the middle, and can bring spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana into the game. Dew is the wildcard. Evening moisture can slick up the ball and quicken the outfield, making chasing attractive. Teams batting first typically target the 260–280 mark here, but if dew gets heavy, even that can feel thin.
Weather? Early July in Colombo sits in the monsoon window. Expect warm, humid conditions with a chance of passing showers in the afternoon or evening. The ground’s drainage is excellent, so brief interruptions don’t always spell doom, but the DLS sheet may get a workout if clouds linger.
Key battles to watch: Pathum Nissanka’s disciplined starts against Mustafizur’s angle and cutters; Litton Das versus the leg-spin of Hasaranga; Najmul Hossain Shanto against Theekshana’s powerplay drift; and Sri Lanka’s finishers versus Taskin’s late-overs heat. Mehidy’s dual role—top/middle-order runs and matchup spin—gives Bangladesh flexibility, but Sri Lanka’s deeper spin stocks at home are a real edge.
Series schedule:
- 1st ODI: Wed, July 2 – Colombo (R. Premadasa Stadium)
- 2nd ODI: Sat, July 5 – Colombo (R. Premadasa Stadium)
- 3rd ODI: Tue, July 8 – Kandy
At a glance for Indian viewers:
- Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM IST (toss at ~2:00 PM IST)
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- TV in India: Sony Sports Ten 2 (SD/HD)
- Streaming in India: Sony LIV and FanCode
Squads
Sri Lanka (16): Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga.
Bangladesh (16): Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud.
Likely XIs (subject to toss/fitness):
- Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka.
- Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Mohammad Naim/Parvez Hossain Emon, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud/Tanzim Hasan.
Tactical notes
- The toss could be decisive. If dew is forecast, the captain may prefer to chase. If the pitch looks dry, batting first and stacking spin through the middle overs is a tried-and-true Colombo play.
- Sri Lanka can roll out three frontline spinners without losing batting depth, thanks to all-round options like Hasaranga and Wellalage.
- Bangladesh’s death overs hinge on the Mustafizur–Taskin combo. If they keep Sri Lanka to par, their batting lineup has enough layers—Shanto, Hridoy, Litton—to chase under lights.
- Fielding will matter. R. Premadasa’s big square boundaries test running between the wickets and cut-off work in the deep.
One more moment adding theater: the two captains unveiled the ODI series trophy at Independence Square, Colombo, on Tuesday—a small ceremony, but a clear signal that both sides want this white-ball leg to set the tone for the rest of their season.
How to watch in India: TV, mobile, and streaming details
If you’re in India, here’s your straightforward guide to catch the game. TV viewers can watch on Sony Sports Ten 2 (SD/HD). Digital viewers have two choices: Sony LIV and FanCode. A premium subscription or pass is required on both platforms. Pre-match build-up usually starts about 30 minutes before the toss.
Quick options:
- Television: Tune in to Sony Sports Ten 2 (SD/HD). Check your DTH/cable guide for channel numbers. The English feed is typically on Ten 2; regional feeds vary by provider.
- Sony LIV (streaming): Use the app on mobile/TV devices or the website. Log in, ensure you have an active sports plan, search for the match, and tap the live card. You can adjust quality to manage data usage; HD uses more bandwidth.
- FanCode (streaming): Available on mobile and compatible TVs. Sign in, select the match, and purchase the relevant pass if required. FanCode’s interface usually lists match, series, or tournament passes.
Helpful tips:
- Streaming is commonly 20–40 seconds behind TV. If you’re following live scores or social media, expect a small delay.
- Audio and language feeds can be switched inside the app (where available). If you prefer English-only commentary, check settings before the first ball.
- Mobile data users: switch to “Auto” or “Medium” quality to avoid throttling during peak evening hours.
Time zones and reminders:
- India and Sri Lanka share the same time zone (UTC+5:30). So the listed start time in Colombo is the same in IST.
- Set a reminder for 2:00 PM IST to catch the toss and team sheets. Final XIs often reveal the spin/pace balance and hint at how the pitch looks.
Form guide and focus players
Sri Lanka will want their top three—Nissanka, Avishka, and Mendis—to set a clean platform. Asalanka’s middle-overs tempo has improved, and Kamindu Mendis offers glue with the bat while doubling as a utility bowler if needed. With Hasaranga and Theekshana in tandem, Sri Lanka can choke scoring between overs 11 and 35, which is where Bangladesh must find answers.
For Bangladesh, Litton’s return is about intent. If he gets through the first 20 balls, he usually drags the powerplay run rate up. Shanto’s stability at No. 3 and Hridoy’s release shots in the middle are key. Mehidy’s batting flexibility allows Bangladesh to float him based on match-ups, and the presence of Rishad Hossain gives them a leg-spinning wicket-taker they’ve craved in ODIs.
What should you expect as a neutral? A low-to-mid 200s arm-wrestle if the pitch grips early and the ball turns. If dew sets in and the ball skids at night, a faster chase with boundaries down the ground becomes more likely. Either way, watch the first 10 overs on both sides—how much seam movement and how quickly the spinners come on will tell you which script we’re getting.
If you only need one line to remember for match day: for SL vs BAN 1st ODI live streaming in India, tune into Sony LIV or FanCode digitally, and Sony Sports Ten 2 on TV, from around 2:00 PM IST for the toss and team announcements.