Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Prediction: Sri Lanka aiming for series win

Sri Lanka and New Zealand are going head to head in the Match 2 of Test Series at Galle International Cricket Stadium , Galle, Sri Lanka on 26 September, 2024. Sri Lanka aiming for a series win. Who will win this game of cricket?

Dhananjaya de Silva and his boys must be high on self-esteem after the way they played in the last game. Sure, they were shocking with the ball in the first innings, but came back well in the last two days of play. The team has a good record on this ground, and de Silva expects his players to deliver well here. Pathum Nissanka could not have a bad game in the last match. With Dimuth Karunaratne opening the innings, his hopes for better games are high. Dinesh Chandimal was good with bat in hand and will look to continue scoring runs for the team from the middle order and with Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis. The lower-middle order comprising Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis are strong batsmen. Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando have been a disappointment against the Kiwi batsmen, so the side will be expecting a better performance from them. Prabath Jayasuriya was Sri Lanka's star in the last game, and he is hungry to cause further issues for the Kiwi batsmen, with Dhananjaya de Silva assisting him. Ramesh Mendis adds another bowl to the middle order bowling.

Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando

New Zealand, on the other hand, would expect a disaster from the previous game's result, as they had taken a first-innings lead but seemed to have lost their momentum on the ground. Also, Sri Lankan conditions are not new to them, as they have never been a happy hunting ground. Captain Tom Latham would look for an excellent comeback to level the series.

Poor outing by Devon Conway in the last match would bring plenty of responsibility on his shoulders along with Tom Latham. Ravindra showed his mettle with the bat in the last match, but the lower-order batsmen Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner need to contribute a lot while coming out batting with top-ordermen like Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell.

The team relies on William O'Rourke to make a mark with the new ball under Tim Southee's captaincy, who took 8 wickets in the last match. Bowlers Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel have integral roles and must look to seize the day playing conditions to their advantage. The team is expecting strong performances from Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips in this match.

Tim Southee (c), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, William O'Rourke

New Zealand failed to capitalize on what was presented to them in the last game and they are certainly going to have to play much better with the bat against Sri Lankan spinners. Them winning chances certainly will depend upon a strong effort from their spinners. Sri Lanka had a pretty good record at this venue, especially with the conditions suiting their bowling strength. This is going to be a close game, but favorites for the battle are home-side people. Prediction- Sri Lanka will win.