The ICC World Cup 2023 encounter between New Zealand (NZ) and Sri Lanka (SL) is scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on November 9, 2023. The match is set to commence at 2 pm IST and carries significant importance for both teams as they find themselves in a must-win situation. Sri Lanka recently suffered a defeat at the hands of Bangladesh, while the Kiwis faced a setback against Pakistan.

The upcoming NZ vs SL match can be likened to a virtual knockout game, with the winner securing a place in the semi-finals and the defeated team being eliminated from the competition. Both sides have faced challenges in maintaining consistent cricket performances and will need to operate cohesively in this crucial fixture.

In the 101 One Day Internationals (ODIs) played between these two teams, New Zealand has emerged victorious in 51 matches, Sri Lanka in 41, and 8 games concluded without a result. In the context of ODI World Cup encounters, Sri Lanka holds a 6-5 head-to-head record over New Zealand, and their recent triumph against Bangladesh has boosted their confidence for back-to-back victories.

However, there is a concerning weather forecast for the NZ vs SL match. Bengaluru is expected to experience a prolonged period of rain over the next week, with a particularly high likelihood of precipitation on the matchday itself, November 9, which falls on a Thursday. It’s worth noting that the Kiwis have already faced a rain-affected game in Bengaluru, which adds an element of unpredictability to this crucial World Cup clash.

New Zealand: Despite amassing a total of over 400 runs against Pakistan, the New Zealand cricket team suffered a loss in the game. Pakistan, within the initial 25 overs, had reached 200/1, securing nearly half the runs required for victory. To bounce back, the Kiwi bowlers must rectify their errors and regroup effectively as a cohesive bowling unit. It is imperative for the pace trio of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson to rediscover the ideal length for their deliveries.

On the batting front, New Zealand’s primary task is to maintain their impressive form. Devon Conway, in particular, has experienced a dip in his performance after his initial couple of games. In the challenging Indian conditions, he holds a pivotal role in a high-stakes match like the upcoming one. Additionally, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell are crucial contributors in the batting lineup. Furthermore, skipper Kane Williamson’s remarkable innings of 95 during his return game remains a critical factor in the team’s prospects.

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s recent victory over Bangladesh elevated their points tally to six in eight games. Their prior loss to Bangladesh occurred under contentious circumstances as they couldn’t defend a total of 280. The Sri Lankans must draw inspiration from their performance against England and aim to replicate that effort against the New Zealand team. Inconsistency has plagued both sides, and their defeat against India significantly impacted their Net Run Rate (NRR).

Dilshan Madushanka has emerged as the leading wicket-taker for Sri Lanka, while other bowlers have faced challenges. Mahesh Theekshana, particularly in the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, has displayed reduced effectiveness. With key bowlers missing from the lineup, the spotlight will once again be on Madushanka to provide a strong start within the powerplay overs.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham (wk), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell,  Mark Chapman, Ish Sodhi/ Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Perera, Mahesh Theekshana, Angelo Mathews, Dushmantha Chameera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka,  Kasun Rajitha,Dilshan Madushanka

While New Zealand is perched on the brink of qualifying for the tournament’s playoffs stage, Sri Lanka finds themselves teetering on the verge of elimination from the ICC mega-event. The two teams have a rich ODI history, having clashed in 101 matches. Among these encounters, the finalists of the 2015 and 2019 tournaments, New Zealand, emerged victorious in 51 matches, while Sri Lanka, the former champions, claimed victory in 41 contests.

Considering the current tournament, the Black Caps have secured victory in four out of their eight matches, whereas Sri Lanka has only managed to win two games thus far. Sri Lanka has already been officially eliminated from the competition, but the upcoming match holds significant importance for the Kiwis. We anticipate that the Black Caps will seize this opportunity and emerge triumphant in the forthcoming game.

In the last three coin tosses, New Zealand’s captains, both Tom Latham and Kane Williamson, emerged victorious in two instances. In contrast, Sri Lanka’s skipper, Kusal Mendis, secured the toss in just one of their team’s last three matches. Looking ahead to the upcoming match on Thursday, our prediction is that Kane Williamson is likely to maintain his streak of good luck and win the toss against Mendis.

The prevailing weather conditions in Bengaluru Urban, India, favor batsmen. Here, flat pitches for seam bowlers are a rarity, and spinners find little to work with. Batsmen have the advantage of playing shots directly through the line. To curb the run rate, seam bowlers should focus on delivering a substantial number of off-cutters and slower deliveries.

Bengaluru has experienced consistent rainfall over the past few days, and the upcoming match is also expected to be affected by rain in the afternoon. Throughout the day, the weather will predominantly be cloudy, with the likelihood of a few showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.

• Venue:  M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru Urban, India
• Situated in:  Bengaluru, India
• Capacity: 32,000
• Establishment: May 1969 (54 years ago)
• Home club: Karnataka cricket team; Karnataka women’s cricket team; Royal Challengers Bangalore.