Joe Root last played a T20 international for England in 2019. In the brutally fast-moving ecosystem of modern T20 cricket, that alone feels like a lifetime ago. Power-hitters dominate team sheets, strike rates are scrutinised as closely as averages, and the format increasingly rewards brawn over subtlety.

Yet with the 2026 T20 World Cup staged in India and Sri Lanka - conditions traditionally kinder to spin and game awareness than raw muscle - Root’s omission has sparked genuine debate. Was England right to move on, or are they leaving behind a player uniquely suited to the pressures and nuances of subcontinental cricket?

The case for Root

At his core, Root remains England’s finest player of spin. Few batters in world cricket manipulate fields, rotate strike, and disarm slow bowling with such calm assurance. That skill feels especially relevant for a tournament beginning on February 7 in conditions where spinners are expected to play a decisive role.

Root’s recent form only strengthens the argument. Three consecutive ODI fifties against Sri Lanka, capped by a fluent century, underlined that even at 35 he is still England’s most reliable run-scorer. His comfort on turning pitches is long established: he averages over 50 in T20s played in India, and while he has never featured in a T20 in Sri Lanka, his broader record there is exceptional across formats.

Big tournaments have rarely fazed him either. A decade ago, Root was inches away from being a World Cup hero. His blistering 83 off 44 balls against South Africa in the 2016 T20 World Cup and a half-century in the final would likely have crowned him player of the tournament - if not for Carlos Brathwaite’s unforgettable four sixes in Kolkata.

Is his T20 form still good enough?

Statistically, Root’s recent T20 record is solid rather than spectacular. Over the last three years, he has averaged 31.6 at a strike rate of 135 - numbers that hold up respectably in international and franchise cricket. In the most recent Hundred season, his output was comparable to Tom Banton, who made England’s World Cup squad.

He also impressed in franchise leagues. In the SA20 last year, Root averaged nearly 56 while striking at 140, contributing not just with the bat but also with his off-spin. In isolation, those numbers point to a player who is still very much T20-capable, particularly in conditions that reward control and adaptability.

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Why England ultimately said no

England’s selection philosophy has been ruthlessly consistent: maximise firepower. The current top order is built to overwhelm opponents, not outmanoeuvre them. Root’s mid-130s strike rate, while healthy, lags well behind England’s established top five, most of whom operate at 150-plus. Phil Salt, for example, strikes at an extraordinary 168 and already has four T20 centuries in just 50 matches.

There is also the broader reality of workload. Very few players in history have dominated all three formats simultaneously. Even the likes of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have had to prioritise. Root’s resurgence has coincided with his absence from T20 internationals, allowing him to focus on Tests and ODIs. England appear reluctant to disturb that balance. Captain Harry Brook confirmed as much, stating that Root was “probably not” in contention, despite acknowledging his class and experience.

A door quietly closed

Root himself has been pragmatic. Asked about a potential return, he admitted: “That ship has sailed.” Any recall would likely have come at the expense of Banton or Ben Duckett - neither an easy call given their recent roles and future value.

There is irony in all this. T20 World Cup finals are rarely six-hitting exhibitions; nerve and clarity often matter more. England leaned on Ben Stokes’s composure in 2022, just as Root nearly delivered in 2016. An anchor still has a place when the pressure peaks.

But England have chosen continuity and power over nuance. Root will watch from home, admired but unused - a reminder that in modern T20 cricket, timing your career can matter as much as timing the ball.

Sri Lanka will face England in the 3rd ODI of the England tour of Sri Lanka 2026, which will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday. The series is currently levelled up 1-1. It's been 18 years since England won an ODI series in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka bats first and posted a total of 219 runs in the 50 overs. Captain Charith Asalanka scored 45 runs off 64 balls, while all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva smashed 40 runs off 59 balls. 

In response, England comfortably chased down the target in 46.2 overs. Captain Harry Brook scored 42 runs off 75 balls and Joe Root scored 75 runs off 90 balls and helped his team chase down the target. Jeffrey Vandersay and Dhananjaya de Silva both picked up two wickets.

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SL vs ENG Match Details

• Match: Sri Lanka vs England, 3rd ODI 

• Date: 27th January 2026

• Time: 2.30 PM IST

• Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo 

• Live Streaming: FanCode

SL vs ENG Weather Report

Pitch Report

The Colombo pitch is expected to favour the spinners once more. The spinners were crucial in both ODI matches, and this may continue in the third match too. The average first-inning score at this venue is 240-250 runs. 

Top Batters to Watch – SL vs ENG

• Kusal Mendis (SL): 119 runs in this Series 

• Joe Root (ENG): 136 runs in this Series

• Ben Duckett (ENG): 101 runs in this Series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – SL vs ENG

• Jeffrey Vandersay (SL): 5 wickets in Series

• Adil Rashid (ENG): 5 wickets in Series

• Dhananjaya de Silva (SL): 3 wickets in Series 

SL vs ENG Recent Form

SL vs ENG Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If SL Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 40–50

• Predicted Total: 260-270

• Match Result: SL to win

Scenario 2: If ENG Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 35–45

• Predicted Total: 240–250

• Match Result: SL to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

SL vs ENG Predicted Playing XIs

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.

SL vs ENG Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

We predict that Sri Lanka will win the 3rd ODI match. The likes of Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka will be key players to watch out for.

SL vs ENG Match FAQs

Sri Lanka and England will face each other in the third and final ODI of the series at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Tuesday, January 27. With the series level at 1-1, this match will decide the winner.

Sri Lanka started the series well by winning the first ODI by 19 runs. However, they were unable to take the momentum into the second match. England had a strong comeback in the last match, with Joe Root playing a crucial role in helping his team level the series. Now, the team will have to regroup and perform better in this crucial match.

In the second ODI, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 219 runs after choosing to bat first. Dhananjaya de Silva (40) and Charith Asalanka (45) were the top contributors, but the team lost wickets at regular intervals. While chasing, England stayed calm after an early wicket. Joe Root scored 75, while Ben Duckett added 39, helping England win the match in the 47th over with five wickets remaining.

SL vs ENG: Head-to-Head Record (ODIs)

• Matches Played: 81
• Sri Lanka Won: 38
• England Won: 39
• Tied: 1
• No Result: 3

SL vs ENG: Pitch Report

The pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium has helped spinners, especially as the match progresses. It gets very difficult to bat out of the powerplay, and teams need to build partnerships carefully. The average first-innings score is 230, which shows it is not that easy to score freely, making bowlers a big factor in the game.

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SL vs ENG: Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka (SL):

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando

England (ENG):

Joe Root, Rehan Ahmed, Harry Brook (c), Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell,  Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid

England captain Harry Brook did not hold back after his team’s win in the second ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Chasing 220, England sealed the match by five wickets with 22 balls remaining. The victory ended England’s long 11-match losing streak away from home. It was a much-needed boost for the visitors.

Brook said the win felt special given the conditions. He admitted that batting was extremely difficult on the sluggish surface. The England skipper stressed that quick adaptation was the key to success. According to him, survival at the crease mattered more than scoring freely.

“It's nice to get a win away from home and on a tough surface. We're happy to get the victory,” Brook said. He then criticized the pitch heavily. “The pitch is probably the worst pitch I've ever played on,” he added, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“Not a Great Wicket for ODI Cricket,” Says Root

Joe Root, who was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, shared similar thoughts. Root said he always enjoys visiting Sri Lanka and feels welcomed every time. However, he admitted the pitch made batting very challenging. He felt the surface did not suit the ODI format.

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“I always love coming to Sri Lanka. It's a great country,” Root said. Speaking about the wicket, he added, “I don't think that's a great wicket for ODI cricket, if I'm being brutally honest.” Root explained that he tried to play the ball late to manage the conditions. England, he said, learned from their mistakes in the first game.

An important 81-run partnership between Brook and Root played a big role in England’s win. Batting remained tough throughout the match for both teams. Spinners dominated the game, picking up 11 of the 15 wickets that fell. The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue on January 27.

Sri Lanka will face England in the 2nd ODI of the England tour of Sri Lanka 2026, which will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Saturday. Sri Lanka won the first ODI match by 19 runs and leads the series 1-0. Sri Lanka bats first and posted a good total of 271 runs in the 50 overs. Experienced batsman Kusal Mendis scored 93 runs off 117 balls, while all-rounder Janith Liyanage smashed 46 runs off 53 balls. 

In response, England failed to chase down the target and were bowled out at 252 runs in 49.2 overs. Opener Ben Duckett scored 62 runs off 76 balls and Joe Root scored 61 runs off 90 balls but they were not able to chase down the target and fell short of 19 runs. 

Also Read: SL vs NZ, 2nd ODI: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

SL vs ENG Match Details

• Match: Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd ODI 

• Date: 24th January 2026

• Time: 2.30 PM IST

• Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo 

• Live Streaming: FanCode

SL vs ENG Weather Report

Pitch Report

The Colombo pitch is expected to favour the spinners once more. The spinners were crucial in the first ODI match, and this may continue in the second match too. The average first-inning score at this venue is 240-250 runs. 

Top Batters to Watch – SL vs ENG

• Kusal Mendis (SL): 93 runs in this Series 

• Janith Liyanange (SL): 46 runs in this Series

• Ben Duckett (ENG): 62 runs in this Series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – SL vs ENG

• Pramod Madushan (SL): 3 wickets in Series

• Adil Rashid (ENG): 3 wickets in Series

• Dunith Wellalage (SL): 2 wickets in Series 

SL vs ENG Recent Form

SL vs ENG Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If SL Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 40–50

• Predicted Total: 260-170

• Match Result: SL to win

Scenario 2: If ENG Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 35–45

• Predicted Total: 240–250

• Match Result: SL to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

SL vs ENG Predicted Playing XIs

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.

SL vs ENG Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

We predict that Sri Lanka will win the 2nd ODI match. The likes of Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka will be key players to watch out for.

SL vs ENG Match FAQs

Sri Lanka and England will face each other in the second ODI of the three-match series on Saturday, January 24, at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. With Sri Lanka leading the series 1-0, England will be under pressure to win and keep the series alive.

Sri Lanka began this series on a high with a win by 19 runs in the first ODI. Batting first, they put up a competitive total of 271/6, led by a brilliant unbeaten knock from Kusal Mendis, who scored 93. Janith Liyanage also played a useful role in the middle order. With the ball, Sri Lanka held their nerve in the final overs and restricted England despite a good start from their top order.

England also showed promise in the run-chase with half-centuries by Ben Duckett and Joe Root. However, once both batters were dismissed, England lost wickets quickly and failed to recover. The visitors will now look to improve their middle-order performance and level the series.

SL vs ENG: Head-to-Head Record (ODIs)

• Matches Played: 80
• Sri Lanka Won: 38
• England Won: 38
• Tied: 1
• No Result: 3

SL vs ENG: Pitch Report

The Colombo pitch is again expected to favour the spinners. In the first ODI match, the spinners have played a major role, and this might continue in the second game also. Batting becomes tougher as the innings progresses, making partnerships very important. A first-innings score around 230–250 can be competitive at this venue.

See Also: Watch: “Verge of exclusion…”- Bangladesh Sports Advisor reacts to their decision of boycotting T20 World Cup 2026

SL vs ENG: Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka (SL):

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando

England (ENG):

Rehan Ahmed, Zak Crawley, Jamie Overton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid

Joe Root is moving closer to lasting greatness as he narrowed the gap with Sachin Tendulkar on the list of players with the most Test runs. He achieved this with a brilliant 160-run knock on Day 2 of the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney. It was Root’s 41st century in Test cricket, which helped him equal Ricky Ponting on the list of most Test hundreds. Only Jacques Kallis and Sachin Tendulkar are now ahead of him.

Root is also just 1,984 runs behind the Indian legend on the all-time Test runs list. Having turned 35 last week, it appears he is on track to challenge Tendulkar’s record based on his current form. For now, let us take a look at the statistical comparison between the two after 41 Test centuries.

In terms of statistics, Sachin Tendulkar was well ahead of Root when he scored his 41st Test century in 2008 against England in Chennai. Tendulkar reached the milestone in his 155th Test and 254th innings, while Root achieved it in his 163rd Test and 297th innings. However, at this stage of their careers, Root has scored 1,524 more runs than Tendulkar had at the same point. Tendulkar averaged an impressive 54.68 after the Chennai Test where he scored his 41st Test hundred, while Root’s average currently stands at 51.23.

Also Read -Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli: Comparing their stats after 123 Test matches

How many runs does Joe Root need to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record?

1,984 runs are still a big target for any player, including Joe Root. Root is currently 35 years old and may need a little more than two years to score close to 2,000 runs, even if he continues in his current form. If he loses form during this period, the former England captain may need more time to reach the milestone.

Root has already hinted at touring Australia again for the next Ashes series, four years from now. He could break Tendulkar’s record if his career lasts until 2029. However, his form and fitness will play a key role in achieving this goal.

Veteran English batter Joe Root once again proved his critics wrong by scoring his second century of the Ashes series during the ongoing fifth Test in Sydney. The modern-day Test great brought up his 41st Test hundred, equalling Ricky Ponting’s record.

Before the Ashes, there was much speculation about how Root would perform in Australia, as he had not scored a single Test century there. However, he ended that drought with a masterful hundred in the Day-Night Test in Brisbane earlier in the series.

Root followed that performance with another brilliant century in the first innings of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This marked his 41st Test ton, placing him alongside Ricky Ponting in third place for the most centuries in Test cricket history.

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Most Centuries in Test Cricket

1. Sachin Tendulkar: 51 centuries in 200 matches
2. Jacques Kallis: 45 centuries in 166 matches
3. Joe Root: 41 centuries in 163 matches
4. Ricky Ponting: 41 centuries in 168 matches
5. Kumar Sangakkara: 38 centuries in 134 matches

Root’s Masterclass at the SCG

Resuming on 72 after play was called early on day one, Joe Root continued his push with ease despite a strong bowling effort from the hosts and a more inconsistent pitch.

Root watched his teammates fall at the other end—Harry Brook (84), Ben Stokes (0), and Jamie Smith (46)—but remained steady, walking off at lunch on 138 not out.

In the middle session, Root reached the 150 mark, with his innings finally ending at 160 after an athletic caught-and-bowled by Michael Neser. This was his second century on the tour, having curiously not reached the mark in 14 previous Tests in Australia.

England were bowled out for 384, with Australian openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald putting together a half-century stand in reply. England trail 3-1 in the five-Test Ashes, though a win in Sydney would give them 12 vital World Test Championship 2027 points as they look to climb from seventh in the nine-team table.

Read also -776 days since his last ODI: Why India Is still holding Jasprit Bumrah back

Root Achieves Major England Records

Root’s century at the SCG also brought him another major milestone. The 35-year-old became only the fourth England player to score multiple away Ashes centuries since 1994/95, joining Michael Vaughan (3), Alastair Cook (3), and Jonathan Trott (2).

Since 2021, Root has been in phenomenal form, striking 24 Test centuries in just over two years, with the next-best player managing 10 in the same period. For the first time in his career, Root has now converted each of his last five Test half-centuries into hundreds, having previously converted four in a row from 2022 to 2024.

He is now closing in on the all-time England record. The most consecutive half-centuries converted into centuries for England is six, achieved by Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, and Alastair Cook.