New Zealand Dominates Sri Lanka by 61 Runs in T20 WC, Rachin Ravindra Shines
Synopsis
In a stunning match, Rachin Ravindra's exceptional bowling performance led New Zealand to a significant victory over Sri Lanka, eliminating the co-hosts from the T20 World Cup. This match marked a crucial step for New Zealand as they aim for a semi-final spot.
Key Takeaways
Rachin Ravindra excelled with 4 wickets for 27 runs.
New Zealand scored 168 runs, showcasing a strong comeback.
Sri Lanka was eliminated from the tournament.
The partnership between Santner and McConchie was key to New Zealand's score.
The match was played at the R Premadasa Stadium .
Colombo, Feb 25 (NationPress) Batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra spun a brilliant web with his skillful left-arm spin bowling, capturing 4-27 as New Zealand triumphed over Sri Lanka by 61 runs, edging closer to a spot in the semi-finals of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. This outcome also signified the elimination of co-hosts Sri Lanka from the tournament in front of their home fans at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
Initially, Sri Lanka seemed poised for victory when they reduced New Zealand to 84/6. However, Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie orchestrated a remarkable revival, forging a record 84-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Their late onslaught propelled New Zealand to 168/7, with 70 runs garnered in the last four overs.
Sri Lanka's response faltered from the start as Matt Henry dismissed Pathum Nissanka with the very first ball. Ravindra then took over, utilizing his slower deliveries to achieve his best T20I figures, as New Zealand’s spinners bowled 17 of the 20 overs to take advantage of the dry pitch.
Struggling to recover from early setbacks, Sri Lanka’s chase ended at 107/8, thus concluding their campaign amidst a disheartened home crowd.
This victory significantly boosts New Zealand’s net run rate, solidifying their chances in the semi-final race. Meanwhile, Pakistan faces a challenging path to qualify, needing a win against Sri Lanka while hoping New Zealand falls to England.
Henry struck with the first delivery of the chase, clean-bowling Nissanka for a golden duck. Charith Asalanka showed brief resistance before Henry dismissed him with a misdirected shot to midwicket.
As Pavan Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis struggled to find their footing against the disciplined bowling of Santner and Lockie Ferguson, Sri Lanka crawled to 20/2 during the power-play, marking their second-lowest score in this phase in T20Is. Ravindra’s introduction deepened Sri Lanka’s woes as he stumped both Mendis and Rathnayake in quick succession.
Captain Dasun Shanaka quickly followed, edging a delivery to backward point off Ravindra, who also dismissed Dushan Hemantha easily. Kamindu Mendis attempted to counter with innovative shots in his 23-ball 21, including reverse sweeps and boundaries off McConchie and Santner.
He added a sense of urgency alongside Dunith Wellalage, but Santner dismissed him for 31 with a catch at cow corner. With the scoreboard reading 77/7, the chase was effectively over. Wellalage provided some entertainment with a six and a flurry of strokes in a 23-ball 29, but Glenn Phillips ended his effort in the final over, sealing a convincing victory for New Zealand and bolstering their semi-final ambitions.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 168/7 in 20 overs (Mitchell Santner 47, Rachin Ravindra 32; Maheesh Theekshana 3-30, Dushmantha Chameera 3-38) beat Sri Lanka 107/8 in 20 overs (Kamindu Mendis 31, Dunith Wellalage 29; Rachin Ravindra 4-27, Matt Henry 2-3) by 61 runs
Point of View
This match exemplifies the unpredictable nature of cricket. New Zealand's resilience in the face of adversity and Sri Lanka's disappointing exit from their home tournament highlight the competitive spirit of the T20 World Cup.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the standout player in the match?
Rachin Ravindra was the standout player, taking 4 wickets for 27 runs.
What was the final score of the match?
New Zealand scored 168 runs, while Sri Lanka managed only 107 runs.
What does this victory mean for New Zealand?
This victory significantly boosts New Zealand's chances of reaching the semi-finals.
Why was this match crucial for Sri Lanka?
This match was crucial as it determined Sri Lanka's elimination from the tournament.
How did the partnership between Santner and McConchie impact the game?
The partnership of 84 runs for the seventh wicket was pivotal in setting a challenging target for Sri Lanka.
