Galle, June 17 (UNI) The new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) gets underway on Tuesday with hosts Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in the first of a two-Test series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, a ground where the visitors have never tasted victory in the format.
Since their first Test encounter in 2001, Sri Lanka have won 18 of the 26 Tests between the two sides, with Bangladesh registering just one win. The islanders have also not lost any of their last eight Tests against the Tigers, a psychological edge as the WTC 2025–27 cycle opens.
Despite this dominance, both teams enter the new WTC phase with patchy recent form. Sri Lanka have lost each of their last four Tests, though significantly, all came against WTC 2023–25 finalists South Africa and Australia. Bangladesh, in contrast, have won two of their last three Tests — against Zimbabwe and the West Indies — and are eyeing a competitive start, even if conditions are heavily stacked against them.
Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva, taking charge after their near miss in the previous WTC cycle, is determined to reset momentum. However, his side begins a new era without long-time opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who recently retired. Pathum Nissanka is expected to anchor the top order, supported by the seasoned Kusal Mendis and allrounders Angelo Mathews and Akila Dananjaya. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya remains their key threat on a turning Galle track.
Bangladesh, under captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, are fielding a squad rich in experience but short on results in Sri Lanka conditions. The side banks on the batting depth of Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam will shoulder the spin responsibilities.
With consistent low bounce expected for the first two days and sharper turn by Day 3, the toss will be crucial. Both teams are likely to bat first, knowing Galle’s history of deteriorating surfaces. Rain and high humidity are forecast through the Test, potentially disrupting play across all five days.
Predicted Playing XIs:
Sri Lanka: Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Akila Dananjaya, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Angelo Mathews, Kasun Rajitha, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya
Bangladesh: Litton Das, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud
The 2023–25 WTC concluded just days ago with South Africa lifting the mace at Lord's. Now, in Galle, the long road to the next final begins — and Sri Lanka will be aiming to make a statement at home, while Bangladesh look to break a long-standing jinx.
UNI BDN BM