This will be the first game of the two-match T20I series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium will host this game and the match will start at 7:00 PM IST on 9th November 2024.
Sri Lanka recently won the T20I series against West Indies. They’ve been in good form as a team and will look to do well in this series. They defeated New Zealand 2-0 in the test series back in September.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is coming off a historic Test series win against India in India. They have many new faces for this series. Mitchell Santner will lead the side. The likes of Nathan Smith, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Hay and Tim Robinson will look to showcase their skills.  Â
SL vs NZ 1st T20I: Probable Playing XIs
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage/Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Will Young, Henry Nicholl/Dean Foxcroft, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitch Hay (wk), Josh Clarkson/Nathan Smith, Mitchell Santner (c), Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Zakary Foulkes
SL vs NZ: Pitch Report & Weather Conditions
The pitch is expected to be a good one for batting. Spinners will get good assistance, especially as the game progresses. There might be some help for the pacers with the new ball. Scores in the range of 150-170 are expected. Teams may prefer chasing.
It will be a partly cloudy with no chance of rain. The temperature will be around 24-25 degrees Celsius. It will be quite humid with the humidity being around 95% at the start of the game.
Top Player Picks for SL vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
Kusal Mendis (SL)
- Kusal Mendis has 570 runs in 18 T20Is this year at an average of 33.50 including 3 fifties. He’ll open the innings and can fetch points from wicket-keeping as well.
- Mendis will be a key batter for Sri Lanka at the top and an excellent fantasy pick.
Lockie Ferguson (NZ)
- Lockie Ferguson has been in excellent form this year. He has 17 wickets in 9 T20Is at an economy of 4.95. A top pick in fantasy cricket.
- He will bowl in the middle and death overs and can fetch plenty of points in this match.Â
Glenn Phillips (NZ)
- Glenn Phillips will bat in the middle order and can also bowl an over or two if required. He was in top form in the Lanka Premier League this year.  Â
- He fields at the hot spots and can fetch points from batting, bowling and fielding. Phillips will be a good fantasy pick.
Also Read: BCCI 6-hour review: Not everyone in agreement with Gautam Gambhir’s selection punt on these two players
Top Captaincy and Vice-Captaincy Picks for SL vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
Wanindu Hasaranga (SL)Â Â
- Wanindu Hasaranga will be a popular C/VC pick for this game. He’s a genuine wicket-taker and is handy with the bat as well. Â
- He has 28 wickets in 16 T20Is this year at a strike rate of 12.90. Hasaranga has scored a fifty as well.
Matheesh Pathirana (SL)
- Matheesha Pathirana will be an excellent C/VC option. He picks up wickets in clusters and can be the game changer in this match (as C/VC).
- He has 23 wickets in 13 T20Is this year at a strike rate of just 10.80.Â
Maheesh Theekshana (SL)
- Maheesh Theekshana has been in great form this year in T20s and T20Is. He can pick up 2-3 wickets against an inexperienced Kiwi batting unit. Â
- He has 20 wickets in 17 T20Is in 2024. He will bowl 2 overs in the power play.
SL vs NZ Player to AvoidÂ
Bhanuka Rajapaksa (SL)
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa will bat in the middle/lower-middle order. He hasn’t been in the best of forms and won’t contribute with the ball. There are many better picks in fantasy cricket for this match.
Grand League Team for SL vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
Small League Team for SL vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
SL vs NZ Dream11 Prediction:
Sri Lanka has been in good form as a team this year. They defeated India, then West Indies at their home. New Zealand has quite a few new faces and it’ll be a challenge for them, especially with the bat. Sri Lanka is expected to win this match.
