New Zealand will take on Sri Lanka in the 41st match of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Thursday. It will be a must-win game for the Kiwis and with the rain threat looming large, they will want to field first if they win the toss.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has been eliminated from the semifinal race after their controversial three-wicket loss against Bangladesh.
New Zealand had posted 401 runs on the board in their previous match against Pakistan as Rachin Ravindra continued to impress. The talented youngster scored his third century of the ongoing World Cup, which is the most for any player playing his maiden World Cup. Ravindra has been the find of the tournament for New Zealand and he would look to continue the good show.
Kane Williamson also scored a fine knock of 95 runs but the Blackcaps ended on the wrong side of the result after Fakhar Zaman scored a scorching hundred and Pakistan won by 21 runs (DLS method).
Meanwhile, Charith Asalanka scored a fine century against the Tigers in the last game but he didn’t get much support from the other end as the rest of the batters could not convert their starts. However, the Islanders’ bowling hasn’t been at their best throughout the tournament, barring Dilshan Madushanka.
Match Prediction: New Zealand will enter the contest as favorites against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
