Rachin Ravindra Warns New Zealand Not to Underestimate England in T20 World Cup

Rachin Ravindra has urged New Zealand to stay focused ahead of their crucial Super 8 clash against England cricket team in the T20 World Cup, warning that confidence from their win over Sri Lanka should not lead to complacency.

New Zealand secured a convincing 61-run victory against Sri Lanka cricket team in Colombo, significantly strengthening their chances of reaching the semi-finals. However, Ravindra made it clear that the job is far from complete, especially with a knockout berth still at stake.

Speaking after the match, Ravindra highlighted England’s quality and depth in both batting and bowling. He acknowledged that while New Zealand could take confidence from their dominant performance, every game in the Super 8 stage presents a fresh challenge.

England have already sealed their semi-final qualification after winning both of their Super 8 fixtures. Meanwhile, New Zealand sit second in Group 2 with three points from two matches, including a washed-out game against Pakistan. A win against England would guarantee New Zealand a place in the final four.

Ravindra also expressed pride in beating Sri Lanka on their home soil. Colombo has traditionally been a strong venue for Sri Lanka, making the victory particularly significant. The Black Caps delivered a disciplined performance, both with the bat and ball, to secure a comprehensive win.

Defending a target of 169, New Zealand made early inroads into Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for a golden duck by Matt Henry, setting the tone for the innings. Ravindra then made an immediate impact with the ball, removing Kusal Mendis with his very first delivery and following it up by dismissing Pavan Rathnayake in the same over.

The left-arm spinner continued to trouble the middle order, claiming the wickets of Dasun Shanaka and Dushan Hemantha. Ravindra finished with impressive figures of 4 for 27, playing a decisive role in restricting Sri Lanka to 107 for 8 in 20 overs.

Although Kamindu Mendis showed some resistance with a steady 31, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner maintained pressure from the other end, ensuring there was no late comeback.

With one final Super 8 match remaining, the equation remains straightforward for New Zealand. Victory over England will confirm their progression to the semi-finals. Even avoiding defeat could prove sufficient, depending on net run rate and other results, particularly involving Pakistan.

However, Ravindra stressed that relying on mathematical permutations is not the preferred approach. For New Zealand, the focus remains on delivering another complete performance against a strong English side and securing their semi-final berth on merit.