T20 World Cup 2026: Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra star as New Zealand THRASH Sri Lanka by 61-runs to knock them out of T20 World Cup 2026
Skipper Mitchell Santner's impressive 47-run knock along with Rachin Ravindra's sensational bowling powered New Zealand to secure a convincing 61-run win over Sri Lanka
Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra star as New Zealand THRASH Sri Lanka by 61 Runs (Source: IANS)
T20 World Cup 2026: New Zealand, who at one point seemed on the verge of an embarrassing defeat, turned the game around thanks to skipper Mitchell Santner, who powered the Black Caps secure a commanding 61-runs win over co-hosts Sri Lanka in their crucial Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.
This massive victory powered the Kiwis firmly into contention for a semifinal spot, while effectively eliminating Sri Lanka from the tournament, despite one remaining fixture against Pakistan.
Santner saved New Zealand after a dramatic collapse
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka made full use of the condition as New Zealand stumbled in the middle overs. The Kiwis were 75/2 but suffered a dramatic collapse, as they lost four wicket for just 9 runs with the scorecard reading at 84/6.
Maheesh Theekshana wrecked havoc as he picked 3/30 with clever variations that troubled the middle order, including the key wicket of Rachin Ravindra, who scored 32 off 22, laced with three fours and a six.
However, New Zealand's lower order mounted a spirited fightback as Captain Mitchell Santner shifted the momentum with 47 off 26 balls, which included four sixes and two fours in an aggressive cameo.
Cole McConchie provided solid support from the other end, remaining unbeaten on 31 off 23 deliveries with three fours, two sixes, guiding the innings to a competitive 168/7 in 20 overs.
Santner and McConchie stitched 84-run partnership for the seventh wicket transforming a precarious position into a defendable total on a tricky surface.
Pathum Nissanka was out for a golden duck
Chasing 169, Sri Lanka faced early setback with the wicket of opener Pathum Nissanka, who had smashed a century in group stage match against Australia and is also leading the run-scorer for the side in the tournament
Sri Lanka were at 20/2 in the powerplay, the middle order steadied the innings for a brief period against spin, particularly the left-arm orthodox of Rachin Ravindra, who produced a career-best T20I spell of 4/27.
Ravindra dismantled the lineup, claiming key scalps, while Matt Henry chipped in with 2/3 in a miserly spell, further exposing Sri Lanka's struggles against disciplined bowling.
Kamindu Mendis top-scored with 31, but none of the other batters could do for Sri Lanka what Santner did for the Kiwis. Sri Lanka were all out for 107/8 in their 20 overs. The co-hosts never recovered from the sluggish start and wilted under pressure from New Zealand's varied attack.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India News on India.com.