A snake appeared on the ground during the first one-day international between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Colombo on Wednesday (July 2, 2025). The serpent surfaced early in Bangladesh's innings at the R. Premadasa Stadium, leading viewers and social media users to call it a fitting entry to the 'Naagin Derby'. The Lankans won the match by 77 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after a massive collapse by the Bangla Tigers with the bat.
Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI: Snake Enters R Premadasa Stadium, Fans Deem It Fitting For 'Naagin Derby'
'Naagin' is Hindi for a female snake, and the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh cricket rivalry has been popularized by the term Naagin Derby because of the gestures often made by players from both teams. The sight of a serpent is fairly common in Lankan cricket grounds
The snake was captured on broadcast during the third over of the visitors' innings bowled by Asitha Fernando, while openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan were at the crease. Fans immediately took note of the reptile's arrival and made humorous references to the Naagin Derby, which is the term often used to describe matches involving Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
'Naagin' is Hindi for a female snake, and the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka cricket rivalry has been referred to by this name because players from both teams have made snake-like gestures in the past. The sight of a serpent is fairly common in Sri Lanka cricket grounds, by the way, as the country is home to them in a large number.
As for the match itself, captain Charith Asalanka struck 106 off 123 deliveries to take the hosts to a 244-run total in 49.2 overs, while Wanindu Hasaranga returned incredible figures of 4/10 in 7.5 overs to help bundle out Bangladesh for 167 runs in 35.5 overs. The tourists suffered an almighty collapse, going from 100-1 to 125-9 thanks to the four wickets from Hasaranga and three from Kamindu Mendis (3-19).
The Bangla Tigers could add just five runs from the fall of the second wicket to the eighth, which was the lowest tally for that set in ODI history. Meanwhile, Asalanka hit his fourth century at the venue, joining Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli with the joint-most hundreds at the stadium in Colombo.
The second SL vs BAN ODI will be played at the same venue on July 5, and the third and final one in Pallekele on July 8.
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