In a surprising tactical shift at the R. Premadasa Stadium, England have once again promoted teenage sensation Rehan Ahmed to open the batting in the series-deciding 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka. Following England’s five-wicket victory in the second game, captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to post a formidable total on a dry, spin-friendly surface. By utilizing the 21-year-old leg-spinner in a nighthawk’ role, England hopes to unsettle the Sri Lankan spin attack during the Powerplay while preserving their middle-order depth for the challenging later overs.
Explained: Why Rehan Ahmed is opening the batting in Colombo for England vs Sri Lanka in 3rd ODI
The decision to have Rehan open the batting for the second consecutive match is a calculated gamble by Brendon McCullum’s coaching staff, designed to exploit the hard ball before the pitch slows down. Rehan, who usually bats at number eight, was first pushed to the top in the 2nd ODI after Zak Crawley was ruled out with a persistent knee injury sustained during the series opener.
While Crawley’s absence opened a vacancy, England chose the explosive potential of Rehan over traditional options like Will Jacks to maintain a left-right combination and provide a license for aggression. Although Rehan only managed 13 runs in his first outing as an opener, his recent domestic form, averaging over 50 for Leicestershire while batting at number three, has given the management confidence in his technical ability to face the new ball.
This ‘nighthawk’ experiment serves a dual purpose: it allows England to attack Sri Lanka’s pace duo of Asitha Fernando and Pramod Madushan early on, while ensuring that the likes of Joe Root and Harry Brook are shielded from any early moisture in the surface. In a high-stakes finale where every run in the Powerplay is crucial, Rehan’s promotion is a clear signal of England’s intent to maintain their ‘Bazball’ inspired aggression even in the 50-over format.
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Series decider stakes: England and Sri Lanka fight for final dominance
The 3rd ODI serves as a high-pressure finale for a series that has seen both teams display remarkable resilience under grueling Colombo conditions. Sri Lanka currently holds the momentum of playing at their ‘fortress,’ the R. Premadasa Stadium, where their spin trios have historically dismantled visiting lineups. After winning the first ODI by 19 runs, the hosts were pegged back by a vintage Joe Root (75) masterclass in the second game, leaving the trophy to be decided in today’s winner-takes-all encounter.
For Sri Lanka, the return of Wanindu Hasaranga to the XI today provides a massive boost, as the ace leg-spinner missed the first two games for workload management. England, meanwhile, is looking to secure their first ODI series win in Sri Lanka since 2018, a feat that would provide a massive morale boost ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 starting next month. With both teams set to play three T20Is in Pallekele following this match, today’s result will set the psychological tone for the remainder of the tour, making the battle between England’s unconventional openers and Sri Lanka’s elite spinners the defining contest of the day.
Also READ: Joe Root sizzles in England’s series-levelling win over Sri Lanka in 2nd ODI
