New Zealand will face Sri Lanka in a must-win situation to be played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on 9th November 2023. Both teams are coming off a loss against their respective opponents.
Kiwis lost to Pakistan in a day match after posting 401 for 6 but thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s brilliance in the 2nd innings. They need to win stay alive in semi-final race after losing 4 successive matches that put them under immense pressure.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka also lost to Bangladesh by 3 wickets at New Delhi. They need to win this encounter qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Both teams have good quality players that can change the course of the game with both bat and ball. It promises to be an exciting encounter with rain expected for tomorrow’s match.
Here we look at the 5 players to watch out for between New Zealand and Sri Lanka:
- Rachin Ravindra
The stylish left-handed batter Rachin Ravindra produced a brilliant knock in the previous match against Pakistan. He showed intent against pace bowlers in the first 10 overs and kept momentum along with Devon Conway.
It was a sensational knock by Ravindra keeping the momentum going for New Zealand along with Kane Williamson. He completed his 3rd century of this tournament and was eventually dismissed for 108 off 94 deliveries.
Ravindra would be looking to provide another solid start in the first 10 overs against Lankan bowling lineup. He has played 1 match against Sri Lanka in 2023 scoring 49 runs.
His batting at the top of the order would decide the fate of the New Zealand team as he has all the strokes in his armoury.
- Pathum Nissanka
Pathum Nissanka looked impressive in the previous match against Bangladesh. After being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka lost an early wicket of Kusal Perera. He played some lovely strokes that put pressure on the Bangladesh bowlers.
He showed intent against the pace bowlers that put them under some pressure. Nissanka was dismissed for 41 chopping onto stumps.
Nissanka has played just 2 One-day internationals against New Zealand with 66 runs from 2 matches including best score of 57. He would be looking to provide positive start in first 10 overs that would allow put pressure on New Zealand bowling lineup.
- Kane Williamson
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson returned to playing XI in the previous match against Pakistan. He looked in sublime touch right from the word go and kept them under pressure.
Williamson showed his intent against the spinners and did not allow them to settle. He kept the momentum going for New Zealand along with Rachin Ravindra that laid a strong foundation for a massive total.
Williamson was dismissed 5 short of his century with a simple catch at long-off. He would be look to continue his sublime form against Lankan team that will help New Zealand qualify for the semi-finals.
He has a superb record against Sri Lanka in ODI format with 685 runs from 22 matches ( 18 innings) including 1 century and 7 half-centuries with best score of 103. Willamson would be hoping to provide another captain knock that would ensure New Zealand keep their semi-finals hopes alive.
- Dilshan Madhushanka
The left-arm swing bowler Dilshan Madhushanka had another superb bowling effort against Bangladesh. He got rid of Tanzid Hasan and Liton Das cheaply in the first 10 overs.
Madhushanka looked impressive in next spell not allowing the Bangladesh batters to score runs easily. He then picked up the wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim. It was a superb bowling effort with figures of 3 for 69 in 10 overs.
He is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament and would be looking to provide early breakthroughs that would help Sri Lanka keep New Zealand stop scoring from big runs.
- Trent Boult
The experienced Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand against Pakistan where Fakhar Zaman took the attack putting them under pressure. He will look to showcase his bowling skills and pick early wickets that would allow New Zealand to keep them under pressure.
Boult has picked 17 wickets from 13 matches in ODIs against Sri Lanka at an economy of 5.18 runs per over and figures of 4 for 44. He picked 1 for 44 in his 9 overs during the 2019 World Cup.
New Zealand would be hoping that Boult does the job and knocks early wickets that would help them to register a victory.
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