Rachin Ravindra secured figures of 4 for 27 as New Zealand decisively defeated Sri Lanka by 61 runs during their Group 2 Super Eight encounter at the T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo on Wednesday. This victory positioned New Zealand favorably for semifinal qualification. Sri Lanka faced elimination from the tournament, despite having one remaining fixture.
Pursuing a target of 169, Sri Lanka experienced a disastrous beginning, managing only 20 for two during the powerplay phase and subsequently failing to establish any meaningful rhythm. Ravindra proceeded to dismantle Sri Lanka’s fragile middle order, assisting the Kiwis in restricting their opponents to a meager 107/8. Previously, captain Mitchell Santner (47) and Cole McConchie (31 not out) orchestrated New Zealand’s recovery following a middle-order collapse, enabling the team to reach 168/7. New Zealand encountered significant batting difficulties, declining from 75/2 to 84/6, during which period they surrendered three wickets without scoring.
Following this comprehensive victory against Sri Lanka, the Blackcaps emerged as favorites for the remaining semifinal position from Group 2, consequently diminishing Pakistan’s already limited qualification prospects. New Zealand Spinners Pushed Sri Lanka Towards the Door Of Elimination .
TOSS
Sri Lanka won the coin toss and elected to field first.
PLAYING XI
New Zealand (Playing XI):
Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
Sri Lanka (Playing XI):
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka
NEW ZEALAND
Notwithstanding Dilshan Madushanka extracting some movement through the air, New Zealand commenced their innings with characteristic aggression, though a pair of quick dismissals would subsequently place them in difficulty. Maheesh Theekshana initially dropped Tim Seifert while attempting a catch to his left at short third man but compensated by executing a spectacular diving catch off his own delivery to remove Finn Allen. Seifert’s stay proved brief, as he found a leaping Kamindu Mendis positioned at deep backward square leg.
Ravindra and Glenn Phillips initially stabilized the innings before opting to accelerate their scoring rate. Ravindra demonstrated astute boundary selection against leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha, dispatching him for a boundary and maximum in the straight region. Although he received a reprieve when Dasun Shanaka dropped a high catch while advancing from long off, Dushmantha Chameera dismissed Phillips with the subsequent delivery. A dramatic collapse ensued as Theekshana removed both Ravindra and Mark Chapman within three deliveries, deceiving the latter with an exceptional off-spinning delivery. Dunith Wellalage then bowled Daryl Mitchell with an arm ball as New Zealand plummeted from 76/2 to 84/6.
Cole McConchie, selected in place of James Neesham, and captain Mitchell Santner adopted a cautious approach, though scoring opportunities remained limited. McConchie, having managed only 3 runs from 12 deliveries at one point, subsequently changed tactics, striking Chameera for two sixes and a boundary during the 17th over to revitalize the innings.
Santner hit Theekshana really hard, smashing two big sixes over mid-wicket in the same over that gave 21 runs. Basically, he used his bottom-hand power the same way to hit a maximum off Dilshan Madushanka, who bowled three wides in the second-last over. Chameera surely bowled his wide yorkers well in the final over, but when he made mistakes, Santner punished him. Moreover, Santner got out only on the last ball of the innings. Further, we are seeing New Zealand making 47 runs and taking their score from 84/6 to double, with only the last four overs giving them 70 runs.
SRI LANKA-
As per the match start, Matt Henry gave New Zealand a perfect beginning by bowling out in-form batsman Pathum Nissanka with a good in-swinging ball on the very first delivery. He bowled a maiden over with one wicket and then we are seeing him bowl a smart slow ball that bounced and got Charith Asalanka out, who was only playing his first match in this tournament. Basically, McConchie and Santner bowled the same controlled way with good turn, keeping Sri Lanka to only 20/2 in the slowest Powerplay of the tournament.
The required run rate was going up and the pitch was becoming harder for batting, so risks were expected when Ravindra was brought in to bowl. Basically he bowled smart deliveries that made Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake stretch wide, and the keeper stumped them using the same trick in his first three balls. Moreover, ravindra took wickets from Sri Lanka’s middle batsmen – Shanaka hit a short ball badly and Hemantha only slogged a full ball to long on, so we are seeing the left-arm spinner getting his fourth wicket.
Sri Lankan team management looked very sad as they watched their chase fail and their World Cup hopes end at the same time. New Zealand surely relied heavily on spin bowling, as Lockie Ferguson bowled only one over. Moreover, Henry did not get a chance to bowl his second spell during the match. Also, basically Ish Sodhi couldn’t use the good pitch properly, but it was the same result as Ravindra and Glenn Phillips finished their overs with batters just playing casually.
New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 61 runs and knocked them out of the tournament, while making Pakistan’s qualification chances harder due to the same net run rate calculations.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand actually scored 168 runs and definitely beat Sri Lanka who only made 107 runs. The match was won by 61 runs with Santner and McConchie batting well for New Zealand while Ravindra took 4 wickets.
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