![Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell bowled vs SL. [Source - @starsportsindia/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772035525247_MarkChapmanandDarylMitchellbowledvsSL.jpg?type=hq)
Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell bowled vs SL. [Source - @starsportsindia/X]
In a breathtaking Super 8 clash of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium, the contest between Sri Lanka and New Zealand witnessed some very special spin magic. Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage delivered two unplayable beauties that completely rattled the Kiwi middle-order under pressure.
It was Maheesh Theekshana who struck first with a magical delivery that rocked New Zealand, beating the bat and crashing into the stumps. Moments later, Dunith Wellalage followed up with a stunning left-arm ripper, castling another batter to leave Sri Lanka on top.
On a stage as big as the Men's T20 World Cup 2026, moments like these define matches. In the contest between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, two magical deliveries changed the mood instantly. Simple, sharp and unstoppable, spin bowling at its very best, leaving fans debating which one was better.
Maheesh Theekshana Castles Mark Chapman With A Worldie
In a must-win game against the Kiwis after the loss to England, Sri Lanka elected to bowl first and relied on Maheesh Theekshana’s brilliance with the ball. He struck early inside the powerplay, dismissing the dangerous Finn Allen and conceding just eight runs in two overs.
New Zealand rebuilt steadily after the powerplay, with Rachin Ravindra counter-attacking and unsettling the bowlers. Desperate for control, Sri Lanka turned back to Maheesh Theekshana, who delivered again by removing Ravindra in the 12th over, dragging the momentum back and tightening the grip during the middle phase.
But the real jaw-dropper arrived in the fourth ball of the same over. The right-arm offie produced a classic off-break to castle Mark Chapman for a two-ball duck. Landing on leg, it gripped, turned sharply and smashed off stump, leaving Chapman absolutely clueless and triggering a middle-overs collapse for New Zealand.
Also Read: Virat Kohli T20 World Cup Records And Stats
Dunith Wellalage Rips Through Daryl Mitchell
After conceding runs in his first two overs, Dunith Wellalage returned for his third with pressure mounting. Carrying forward the momentum created by Theekshana, he struck immediately in the very first ball of the 13th over, turning the tide more towards Sri Lanka in the contest.
The left-arm spinner was brilliant as the ball came through nicely, sliding in fuller around off, skidding straight through as Daryl Mitchell attempted a forward defense. The gap between bat and pad was exposed, and the ball crashed into the stumps, sending the R Premadasa Stadium into joy.
As a result, New Zealand slipped to 85 for 6, stunned by two breathtaking deliveries from Wellalage and Theekshana in a span of four deliveries. Both were worthy of “Ball of the Tournament” debate for this T20 World Cup 2026, leaving Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie with a mountain to climb as Sri Lanka tightened complete control.
Two “Ball of the Tournament” That Shaped The Contest for Sri Lanka
The two deliveries completely shifted momentum toward Sri Lanka, but New Zealand responded strongly. Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie stitched a defining 84-run stand, lifting the total to a fighting 168 in 20 overs with smart, calculated counterattack.
Santner’s explosive 26-ball 47 and McConchie’s steady 31 off 23 revived the New Zealand innings. Yet, despite the comeback, the breathtaking strikes from Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage remained decisive moments that possibly prevented an even bigger total.
Also Read: Meet Richard Pybus; Afghanistan's New Coach Who Won Three World Cup Trophies In A Year
