Colombo, Feb 25 (UNI) Sri Lanka became the first team to be knocked out of the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after suffering a 61-run defeat against New Zealand at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
Apart from their successful chase against Australia, Sri Lanka have had a disappointing tournament campaign, while New Zealand have moved with one foot into the semifinal race.
The victory was powered by a sensational all-round performance from Rachin Ravindra, who produced one of the most dominant individual displays of the tournament.
Ravindra first made an impact with the bat, striking crucial boundaries during New Zealand’s recovery phase before turning the game completely with the ball. His 4 for 27 spell was built on intelligent use of flight and pace variations, consistently forcing Sri Lankan batters into false strokes.
Ravindra operated with tight lines around off stump while occasionally drifting the ball wider to invite attacking shots, a tactic that produced two key stumpings as Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake were both lured down the track and beaten in the air and off the pitch.
Ravindra also struck with bounce and deception to break Sri Lanka’s middle order. Dasun Shanaka was dismissed when he attempted a back-foot cut against extra bounce but only managed a top edge to backward point. Dushan Hemantha fell in similar fashion, attempting an aggressive stroke but finding deep mid-wicket instead. Ravindra’s spell completely dismantled Sri Lanka’s chase momentum and kept the run rate climbing beyond control.
New Zealand’s dominance was further cemented by their death-overs batting, led by captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie. Santner produced a devastating finishing assault, repeatedly targeting Sri Lanka’s spin and pace bowlers with powerful hits down the ground and over the leg side. He struck four sixes in his 47 off 26 balls, including towering strikes against Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka, where he used strong bottom-hand power and excellent timing to clear the shorter boundaries.
McConchie played the perfect supporting role during this assault. His unbeaten 31 off 23 balls was built on intelligent strike rotation and selective boundary hitting. He punished loose deliveries with well-timed cuts and drives, helping New Zealand accelerate after early wickets fell. The Santner-McConchie partnership transformed New Zealand’s innings from a rebuilding phase into an aggressive death-overs surge, ultimately pushing the total to a challenging 168 for 7.
Santner’s innings ended in dramatic fashion in the final over when he attempted another aggressive drive off Dushmantha Chameera but was brilliantly caught by Charith Asalanka at extra cover, bringing the crowd to life but too late to change the game’s outcome.
New Zealand’s bowlers had earlier set the tone with early breakthroughs. Matt Henry struck on the very first ball of the innings by bowling Pathum Nissanka with a classic nip-backer, while Glenn Phillips also chipped in with a crucial wicket. Ravindra’s all-round brilliance ensured Sri Lanka never recovered in the chase.
Sri Lanka’s only meaningful resistance came from Kamindu Mendis, who scored 31 off 23 balls, and Dunith Wellalage, who counterattacked with 29 off 23 balls including a six over deep backward square-leg. However, the target proved too steep as Sri Lanka were bowled out of contention, finishing at 107 for 8.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 168/7 (Santner 47, McConchie 31*, Ravindra 32; Theekshana 3/30, Chameera 3/38) beat Sri Lanka 107/8 (Kamindu Mendis 31, Wellalage 29; Ravindra 4/27, Henry 2/3).
