Hey cricket fans! Get ready for some awesome Test cricket action! The 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) begins today, June 17, 2025, with a super exciting match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the beautiful Galle Stadium. This two-match Test series is full of big moments, new players, and a special goodbye.
What’s the World Test Championship?
The WTC is like a big Test cricket tournament where top teams play over two years to reach the final. Last time, South Africa won the trophy at Lord’s. Now, a new cycle starts, and Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh is the first match. Both teams want to start strong and dream of making it to the WTC final. Sri Lanka finished 6th last time, and Bangladesh was 7th, so they’re both super motivated to do better!
Why Galle Is So Cool
Galle International Stadium is a stunning place to watch cricket, with the sea on one side and an old fort on the other. But the pitch here is tricky! It helps spinners a lot, especially as the match goes on. The ball spins more, making it hard for batters to score. Spinners like Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya and Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz could be the stars.
There’s one problem—rain might mess things up. Weather reports say there’s an 80% chance of showers, with temperatures around 28-31°C. If the rain stays away, we’re in for a fun Test match. Sri Lanka have won 26 out of 46 Tests at Galle, so they love playing here. Bangladesh have played here twice, with one draw and one loss. Can they surprise everyone this time?
Saying Goodbye to a Star: Angelo Mathews
This match is extra special because it’s the last Test for Sri Lanka’s big hero, Angelo Mathews. He’s 37 and started playing Tests at Galle in 2009. Now, he’s ending his career at the same ground after 119 Tests. Mathews is one of Sri Lanka’s best batters, with over 2,200 runs at Galle, including two centuries. He’s also a handy bowler and a fan favorite, even in India, thanks to his IPL days.
Sri Lanka’s captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, said, “We want to win this match for Angelo and give him a big farewell.” Indian fans who’ve watched Mathews smash runs against India will be cheering for him to shine one last time. Will he score a big hundred to say goodbye?
Sri Lanka’s Team: Old and New Stars
Sri Lanka lost 2-0 to Australia at Galle earlier this year, so they’re ready to fight back. Their team has some big names and six new players, showing they’re planning for the future. Here are some key players to watch:
- Dinesh Chandimal: He bats at No. 3 and loves playing Bangladesh. He has five centuries against them and averages 67.06 in 12 Tests. He’s in good form after two fifties against Australia.
- Prabath Jayasuriya: This spinner is a Galle superstar, with 80 wickets here at an average of 23.88. He’s one of the best spinners in the world right now.
- Kamindu Mendis: A young batter who’s super talented. He could score big runs at home.
New players like Tharindu Ratnayake, a spinner who can bowl with both hands, and Lahiru Udara, a batter with lots of first-class runs, are exciting. Fast bowlers Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha give Sri Lanka a strong attack.
Bangladesh’s Big Fight
Bangladesh, led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, are the underdogs but ready to surprise. They drew 1-1 against Zimbabwe recently and have some great players. Shanto said, “We want to start the WTC with a good game. We’re ready!” Here are their key players:
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz: This all-rounder is Bangladesh’s hero. He scored a hundred and took ten wickets against Zimbabwe. He’ll bowl spin and score runs.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto: The captain needs to bat well to lead his team. If he plays big, Bangladesh could do well.
- Litton Das: This wicketkeeper-batter is back from injury. He loves attacking and could change the game with quick runs.
Bangladesh’s spinners—Mehidy, Taijul Islam, and Nayeem Hasan—will be super important at Galle. Fast bowlers Ebadot Hossain and Nahid Rana add speed, but they need to bowl smart to beat Sri Lanka at home.
Who’s Stronger?
Sri Lanka have won 20 out of 26 Tests against Bangladesh, with five draws and just one loss. At home, they’re even tougher, winning 11 of 14 Tests against Bangladesh. But Test cricket is full of surprises, and if Bangladesh’s spinners get going, they could make it close.
How to Watch in India
Good news, Indian fans! The Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 1st Test starts at 10:00 AM IST today, June 17, with the toss at 9:30 AM. You can watch it live on Sony Sports channels like Sony Sports Ten 1, Ten 2, or Ten 5. Want to stream it? Check out Sony LIV or FanCode, but you’ll need a subscription. The match goes from June 17 to 21, so get your mornings free for some epic cricket!
Why You Should Care
This Test is more than just a game—it’s about new dreams, a big goodbye, and tons of excitement. Sri Lanka want to win at Galle and give Angelo Mathews a happy farewell. Bangladesh want to show they can beat big teams in tough places. With spinners ruling the pitch and big batters ready to fight, this match will keep you glued to your screen.
Indian fans love Test cricket, and this game is extra fun with the WTC starting and Mathews’ farewell. Plus, with India facing England in their WTC opener on June 20, this match sets the mood for a crazy Test season!
What’s Happening Now?
The match has just started, and Bangladesh won the toss—they’re batting first. Can their batters handle Sri Lanka’s spinners, or will Prabath Jayasuriya strike early? The 1st Test ends on June 21, and then the 2nd Test starts in Colombo from June 25 to 29. After that, the teams play three ODIs and three T20Is in July. For now, it’s all about Galle!
So, grab your chai, turn on the TV, and cheer for some awesome cricket! Who’s your pick to win—Sri Lanka’s home heroes or Bangladesh’s brave tigers? Let us know, and let’s enjoy the WTC 2025-27 kickoff!
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