In a surprise tactical change at the R Premadasa StadiumEngland Once again teenage sensation has been promoted Rehan Ahmed to open the batting in Third ODI of the series against Sri Lanka. Captain after England’s five-wicket win in the second game harry brook Won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to post a strong score on a dry, spin-friendly surface. By using the 21-year-old leg spinner in the nighthawk role, England hope to destabilize the Sri Lankan spin attack during the powerplay, while maintaining their middle-order depth for the challenging overs of the latter.
Explained: Why Rehan Ahmed is opening the batting for England vs Sri Lanka in the 3rd ODI in Colombo
The decision to make Rehan open the batting for the second consecutive match is a calculated gamble. Brendon McCullumThe coaching staff is designed to take advantage of the hard ball before the pitch slows down. Rehan, who usually bats at number eight, was sent to the top for the first time in the second ODI jack crawley He was ruled out due to a knee injury sustained during the opening match of the series.
While Crawley’s absence opened a vacancy, England chose Rehan’s explosive ability over traditional options such as Will Jacks to maintain the left-right combination and provide license for aggression. Although Rehan managed only 13 runs in his first innings as an opening batsman, 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 pair Asitha Fernando And Pramod Madushan Initially, making sure that the likes Joe Root And harry brook The surface is protected from any initial moisture. In a high-stakes final where every run in the powerplay is crucial, Rehan’s promotion is a clear indication of England’s intention to retain the ‘buzzball’ inspired aggression in the 50-over format as well.
See also: Sri Lanka unveils ICC T20 World Cup 2026 trophy in spectacular style at R Premadasa Stadium
Series deciding stakes: England and Sri Lanka fight for ultimate dominance
The third ODI serves as a high-pressure finale to a series in which both teams have shown remarkable resilience in the grueling conditions in Colombo. Sri Lanka currently has its ‘Fort’, R. Premadasa is in touch playing at the stadium, where his spin trio has historically demolished visiting lineups. The host team has lagged behind after winning the first ODI by 19 runs. Joe Root (75) Masterclass in the second game, which will decide the trophy in today’s winner-take-all contest.
return to sri lanka Wanindu Hasaranga The XI got a huge boost today, as the top leg spinner missed the first two games for workload management. Meanwhile, England are looking to secure their first ODI series win in Sri Lanka since 2018, an achievement that will be a massive morale boost ahead of the season. t20 world cup 2026 Starting from next month. After this match both the teams are set to play three T20 matches in Pallekele, 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 decisive contest of the day.
Also read: Joe Root performed brilliantly in England’s series-levelling win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI.