Cricket News

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I: Preview and Predictions

Aditya Chaudhuri Aditya Chaudhuri

After picking up a historic Test series win in India, New Zealand return to Sri Lanka for a white-ball tour, with Mitchell Santner leading a young Kiwi side.

Ahead of the first T20I, here are our match preview and predictions.

Also read: Sri Lanka Cricket Sponsors 2024 | New Zealand Cricket Sponsors 2024

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st T20I | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | 19:00 IST, November 9

Santner will be leading a relatively inexperienced side in Sri Lanka, with Henry Nicholls, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Philips, and Lockie Ferguson being the experienced lot for the visitors. Their batting unit will be led by Will Young, Nicholls, Philips, and Bracewell, with the likes of Josh Clarkson, Zakary Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, and Mark Chapman adding balance to the squad with both bat and ball. There is more experience in the bowling unit, though with Ferguson leading the line-up with the likes of Ish Sodhi, Philips, and Santner also set to play a key role. 

The hosts, on the other hand, have a much more experienced and balanced squad, with Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa being the main batters for Sri Lanka. Skipper Charith Asalanka is one of the many all-rounders in the squad and has plenty of bowling options at his disposal in the likes of Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Thushara, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Dunity Wellalage.

The Dambulla pitch generally has something for the bowlers, with the seamers set to get purchase under the light while the spinners come into play later on in the innings. The hosts are our favourites to start the series with a win here given their more experienced squad.

Fantasy XI: Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Mark Chapman, Glenn Philips, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mitchell Santner, Matheesha Pathirana, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi

Venue: Dambulla
Winners Prediction: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I: Preview and Predictions
Share this article
Aditya Chaudhuri

Aditya Chaudhuri

Hailing from the City of Joy, the things that bring me joy are cricket, a good non-tilt CS:GO session, F1 and movies.

Follow the author’s social media

Leave a Reply

The value is incorrect

The value is incorrect

The value is incorrect

Something went wrong. Please, try again later

Your comment has been sent!

Latest from

West Indies vs Bangladesh 1st Test, 2024: Preview and Predictions

West Indies vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Preview and Predictions

Here's our preview for the third T20I of the 2024 Bangladesh tour of the West Indies. Written by Aditya Chaudhuri.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25: 5 talking points as inconsistent Indian take on wounded Australia

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25: 5 talking points as inconsistent India take on wounded Australia

Staff Staff

Here are 5 key points as to keep in mind as the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy kicks off. Written by Rahul Saha.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 | Australia v India 1st Test | Preview and Predictions

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 | Australia v India 1st Test | Preview and Predictions

Staff Staff

In this article, we present to you our preview and predictions for the first game of the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy as India take on Australia.