In a dominant display at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, New Zealand crushed Sri Lanka by 61 runs in a crucial Super-8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026. Rachin Ravindra emerged as the undisputed star, claiming an astonishing 8 wickets for just 27 runs after smashing 32 off 22 balls, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Opting to bat first, the Kiwis posted a challenging 168 for 7 in their 20 overs, thanks to steady contributions across the top order. Ravindra’s aggressive knock, featuring four boundaries, set the tone early. Sri Lanka, chasing the target, crumbled under pressure, managing only 107 for 8. This emphatic victory keeps New Zealand’s semifinal dreams alive; a win against England in their next outing will confirm their knockout spot.
The 26-year-old all-rounder reflected on the win with glee: ‘Victories like these are always satisfying, especially playing quality cricket away in the opponent’s backyard. Credit to Sri Lanka—they’re formidable at home—but this was a near-perfect team effort.’ He highlighted the strategic use of spin, noting it was only the second time New Zealand bowled 17 overs of spin in T20s, previously against India in Lucknow 2023.
Ravindra credited data insights from their Pakistan game, emphasizing slower speeds under 85 km/h and pitch turn. ‘Captain Mitchell Santner knows this art inside out. Our spin group discussed and decided low pace was key, especially after Maheesh Theekshana’s off-spin showed the grip.’ His dual impact—batting at the top and bowling—perfectly balanced the side.
Praising the local crowd, Ravindra said, ‘Sri Lankan fans are incredible. Hearing the anthems and their chants of ‘New Zealand’ made it special. That’s why we play on big stages.’ With momentum on their side, New Zealand eyes the knockout phase with confidence.