NZ vs SL | Theekshana’s hat-trick falls short as Rachin-Chapman duo clinch victory for Kiwis

ByDebayan Sinha,SportsCafe Editor

01/08/2025

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𝓀New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 113 runs in the second ODI at Seddon Park, Hamilton. After a rain delay reduced the match to 37 overs, New Zealand posted 255 with strong contributions from Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman, while Sri Lanka’s batting collapsed without partnerships.

‌A packed crowd in Hamilton awaited the second ODI, which faced a delayed start due to rain. After an hour-long wait, the game was reduced to 37 overs per side. The hosts began positively, with openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra taking the score to 31/0 in four overs. However, Asitha Fernando broke the partnership by bowling Young in the fifth over. Ravindra then joined forces with Mark Chapman, building an impressive 112-run partnership to propel the score to 143/1 in 19 overs. The momentum shifted in the 20th over when Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Chapman. Ravindra soon followed, departing for a well-made 79 off 63 balls. Despite Daryl Mitchell’s stabilizing 38, Theekshana’s hat-trick dismantled the Kiwi lower order, restricting them to 255/9 in their allotted overs.

🐻In reply, Sri Lanka’s chase started disastrously, with Pathum Nissanka falling in the second over. The top order crumbled as Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, and Charith Asalanka failed to deliver. Kamindu Mendis showed resilience, scoring 70/4 in 15 overs with some support from Janith Liyanage, though the latter couldn’t capitalize. Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Kamindu Mendis pushed the total to 117/5, but their efforts were insufficient. A sudden lower-order collapse, driven by Will O’Rourke’s outstanding spell saw the visitors bowled out for 142 and handing New Zealand a commanding 113-run victory.

Unreal!

👍Nathan Smith! A screamer on the Seddon Park boundary to dismiss Eshan Malinga 🔥
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)

Wow

2025’s first hat-trick! 🤩

🥃Maheesh Theekshana becomes the 7th Sri Lankan to take 3 in 3 in ODIs!💪
— FanCode (@FanCode)

Big win

🌼New Zealand won the 2nd ODI against Sri Lanka by 113 runs at Hamilton,
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet)

Sweep

New Zealand vs SRI lanka.

2-1 (T20I)

2-0 (ODI)
— The sports (@the_sports_x)

Defeat

♍New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka lost the series 2-0
— Kanaram Sutrakar (@KanaramSut33992)

What a win

💛New Zealand has won the series against Sri Lanka.
— The sports (@the_sports_x)

Experienced

New Zealand have only 3 players with more than 40 ODI’s experience. Sri Lanka have 6.

♐I guess we can’t say inexperienced and youngsters anymore. We just have to accept the gap in talent and skill. This is maximum we can go.
— CricAddict (@SenudaLiyanage)

Forgettable

Sri Lanka's tour of New Zealand 2024/25,

❌ Lost the T20I series (1-2)

❌ Lost the ODI series (0-2)

A forgettable tour for Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ)

Finally

🌌Kamindu Mendis finally finds form with a gritty 64, breaking a string of low scores across formats. However, it seems too little, too late for Sri Lanka, as they slump to 131/8, needing an improbable 125 runs off just 9 overs. Victory looks firmly in New Zealand's grasp! 🏏…
— lightningspeed (@lightningspeedk)

Won it