The first Test match of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Galle International Stadium concluded in a tense draw, but the on-field action wasn't the only spectacle. A fan attending the match took the "Naagin Derby" to an unprecedented level, capturing the attention of television cameras and social media alike.

During the final day of the Test, a snake charmer was spotted in the stands, accompanied by two cobras and a monkey. This unusual sight quickly went viral, adding a surreal layer to the already intense rivalry between the two cricket-playing nations. The term "Naagin Derby" has been used to describe the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh cricket rivalry, a moniker that stems from the "Naagin dance" celebration that became a symbolic gesture between the teams.

The origin of the "Naagin Derby" can be traced back to February 2018, when Bangladesh spinner Nazmul Islam celebrated his first T20I wicket by performing the Naagin dance after dismissing Sri Lankan opener Danushka Gunathilaka. While Sri Lanka won that match, Gunathilaka later responded in kind during the second T20I, mimicking the Naagin dance after taking the final Bangladesh wicket, which sealed the series victory for Sri Lanka.

The rivalry intensified further during the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, held in Sri Lanka, with fans displaying banners that read "No more cobra dance, cheer for India" during the final between Bangladesh and India. Sri Lankan fans celebrated India's victory with the Naagin dance, directing it towards the Bangladeshi players. This series of events solidified the "Naagin Derby" as a prominent and often humorous aspect of the cricketing contests between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

While the fan's appearance with the cobras and monkey amplified the "Naagin Derby" narrative, the Test match itself was filled with drama. Bangladesh, after a dominant first innings total of 495 built around a 247-run partnership between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, declared at 285/6 in their second innings, setting Sri Lanka a target of 296 in just 37 overs. This decision, however, was considered by some to be a strategic miscalculation, as the delayed declaration cost them valuable overs. Sri Lanka, in response, opted for survival, finishing at 72/4 and securing a draw.

Najmul Hossain Shanto was named Player of the Match for his impressive performance, scoring 148 and 109* in the match. He also achieved the distinction of becoming the first Bangladeshi captain to score a century in both innings of a Test match. The match also marked the final Test appearance for Angelo Mathews.