New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka: Ravindra’s 4-27 and late partnership seal 61-run Super Eights win in Colombo
In the Super Eights match in Colombo on February 25, 2026, new zealand vs sri lanka ended with New Zealand defeating Sri Lanka by 61 runs after Ravindra claimed 4-27 as the home side were dismissed for 107-8 while chasing 169. The result matters for both teams’ Super Eights campaigns and came after a dramatic middle phase that swung control back to New Zealand.
Ravindra’s 4-27 and Sri Lanka’s collapse to 107-8
Ravindra finished with figures of 4-27 as Sri Lanka were restricted to 107-8 in pursuit of 169. The batting innings collapsed after Sri Lanka, having won the toss and elected to field first in Colombo, failed to reach the target. The final margin — 61 runs — reflected a comprehensive finish once New Zealand’s late overs were defended successfully.
Santner (47 off 26) and McConchie (31 off 23) rebuild New Zealand to 168-7
Mitch Santner’s aggressive 47 off 26 balls and Cole McConchie’s 31 off 23 lifted New Zealand to a total of 168-7. Earlier in the innings New Zealand had been reduced sharply — they lost three wickets for no runs and slipped to 84-6 — but the partnership between Santner and McConchie pushed the total to a defendable 168.
New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka: Super Eights, Colombo (RPS), 46th Match, Group 2 (N), February 25, 2026
The match was the 46th of the tournament, a Super Eights Group 2 (N) fixture staged at Colombo (RPS) on February 25, 2026, as part of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The game’s arc — an early New Zealand collapse, a middle-order recovery, then a bowling-led finish — framed a result that reshaped the immediate Super Eights picture for both sides.
Three wickets for Theekshana and Chameera; powerplay momentum shifts
Bowling support came from Sri Lanka’s end as well, with three wickets for Theekshana and Chameera during the match. New Zealand’s charge through the innings was described in post-match highlights as having been cut short at times, but ultimately the late partnership and the way New Zealand bowled the final overs swung the contest back in their favour.
Captains’ assessments: Santner and Dasun Shanaka on pitch, tactics and the crowd
New Zealand captain Mitch Santner reflected on the tricky surface and the momentum shift after the middle-order recovery. Santner said there had been a ‘nice little period’ for New Zealand with both the track and the ball, and acknowledged the discomfort of losing three wickets on 84. He added that he and Cole McConchie had aimed to bat through to about 140 to set up the final overs, and that 160 had not been a bad return from where they had been.
Santner also admitted he had been unhappy with ‘four off 10’ in the previous game and stressed that getting time in at the wicket mattered on that surface. He noted the wicket looked good at the toss but that the more the bowlers had worked on it, the more it turned; seam bowling had proved effective as well. Looking ahead, Santner described England as ‘outstanding’ and warned that a quick turnaround could make any similar surface a slog-fest.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka called the result ‘embarrassing’ for the home crowd and said the decision to bat had been collective, adding that the team had not expected the pitch to turn as much as it did. Shanaka said Sri Lanka started well but that the partnership between Santner and McConchie had taken the game away; the aim had been to restrict New Zealand to about 130, but he conceded New Zealand had played well. Shanaka concluded by saying Sri Lanka had one more game and needed to finish on a high.
Sam Drury produced a match report that relived New Zealand’s ‘stunning 61-run victory’ over Sri Lanka. Coverage noted the game did not bring the level of Super Eights drama sometimes expected, but still offered key moments and turning points that determined the outcome.
Immediate aftermath and what’s next: England and tomorrow’s schedule
With the result in Colombo decided, attention turns quickly to New Zealand’s next opponents and the wider tournament calendar. Santner flagged a rapid turnaround to face England. Meanwhile, live-text coverage previewed the following day’s fixtures: West Indies versus South Africa at 09: 30 GMT and India versus Zimbabwe at 13: 30 GMT. The timing matters because players and teams must recover and adapt rapidly in a condensed Super Eights schedule.
What makes this notable is how a late middle-order partnership after a severe collapse can both rescue an innings and change the complexion of a match — New Zealand’s 168-7 proved just enough once the ball did the rest.
