West Indies vs Sri Lanka, WI vs SL 2026, Today Match Prediction

WI vs SL Match Prediction & Analysis

After winning the T20I series, West Indies will play a 4-day warm-up test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua, from 18th June. The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm IST. The hosts recently won the 3-match T20I series by 2-1 after losing the ODI series 1-0. 

It is the hardest format for the West Indies team to crack. They have won just 3 of their last 25 tests. Last year, they just won 1 of the 10 tests they played. They will rely on Shai Hope, who has 534 runs in this World Test Series cycle with 2 centuries. Their last win against Sri Lanka was back in 2018. They are at the bottom of the World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle with just 4 points in 8 games.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka is currently standing 3rd in the WTC points table with 1 win and a draw. They had won their last game against Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs. Pathum Nissanka scored 368 runs in 2 Tests of the series with 2 centuries. The last time Sri Lanka visited the Caribbean side, they drew the series 0-0. 

Last time the two teams played, Sri Lanka beat West Indies by an innings and 164 runs. Pathum Nissanka scored half-centuries in both innings, while Dhananjaya De Silva scored 155 runs in the second innings. Ramesh Mendis picked up 11 wickets in that game.

TEAMS PREVIEW

West Indies Preview

It's been one and a half years since the West Indies have won a Test on home soil. Yet they have chosen to play just two players from their test squad to play this game. Tevin Imlach will be leading the side. He has 184 runs in the last 4 FC games with a half-century. He will be partnered with Brandon King at the top. King has played just one domestic game since February, in which he scored 63 in the first innings. 

Kirk McKenzie has been given the opportunity in the XI after a successful domestic stint. He has 323 runs in the last 3 domestic tests with two centuries. He will be the batter to watch out for. The ex-USA international Karima Gore will come in the middle with Kevin Wickham. Gore scored 2 half-centuries in the last 2 FCs. Wickham recently scored three centuries in a row at the domestic level against Jamaica. 

Alzarri Joseph will lead the bowling attack with Jonathan Drakes, Keemo Paul, and Nial Smith. Joseph has 124 wickets in 40 Tests. Last year, he picked 13 wickets in 3 Tests. He will be the bolwer to watch out for. Keemo Paul will play the all-rounder’s role. He has 13 wickets and 212 runs in the last 4 domestic tests.

Key Players: Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Kirk McKenzie.

West Indies Predicted Playing XI:

Tevin Imlach (Captain), Joshua Bishop, Jonathan Drakes, Karima Gore, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kevin Wickham, Nial Smith, Kemol Savory.

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka will be playing the test format after a year. Pathum Nissanka will be opening with Lahiru Udara. Nissanka scored 2 centuries in the last two tests with 369 runs. He will be the batter to watch out for. Udara scored 78 runs against Bangladesh in 2 tests. Dinesh Chandimal will come in at number three. Chandimal scored 93 runs in the last test. In 8 Tests against the West Indies, he has scored 538 runs with 2 centuries.

Prabath Jayasuriya will come in the middle with Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, and Kusal Mendis. Dhananjaya de Silva had scored 155 runs when Sri Lanka last played against the West Indies. Kamindu has 132 runs in the last 2 games, while Kusal scored 84 in the last game.

Asitha Fernando will lead the bowling attack with Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, and Ramesh Mendis. Asitha has 8 wickets in the last 2 tests. Jayasuriya had picked up a five-for in his last Test. All eyes will be on Ramesh Mendis, who had picked up 11 wickets against the West Indies in the last encounter.

Key Players: Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Prabath Jayasuriya.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Udara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Ramesh Mendis, Milan Rathnayake.

Weather Conditions

The weather in Antigua is expected to be cloudy on match days, with temperatures ranging from 27 to 29 degrees Celsius. Winds will blow from the southeast at 6-10 km/h. It is a bowling-friendly pitch. The rain is expected to play a spoilsport on day 2 &3.

WI vs SL Pitch Report

The match will be played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua, from 18th June. The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm IST. The average first innings score is 285, 30 less than the second innings. 

Toss: To Bowl

Antigua has always seen successful chases. In three games, the teams playing second have won. The team winning the toss should bowl first.