Sri Lanka secured their fifth bilateral ODI series victory of the year with a thrilling 3-wicket win over New Zealand in the second match of the 3-game series. Opting to bat first, New Zealand faced interruptions from rain, which hampered their momentum. The top order faltered early, with Tim Robinson and Henry Nicholls departing cheaply. Will Young provided brief resistance but was dismissed for 26. Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips steadied the innings briefly with a 39-run partnership before Phillips fell for 15. Chapman found a reliable partner in Mitchell Hay, and their 75-run stand was the highlight of New Zealand's innings. Chapman top-scored with 76 off 81 balls, while Hay contributed a vital 49. However, the lower order collapsed, leaving the visitors with a modest total of 209 runs. Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay were the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, claiming three wickets each.

Chasing 210 under DLS conditions, Sri Lanka faced an early wobble, losing key batters like Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, and Charith Asalanka cheaply. Kusal Mendis anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 74 off 102 balls, showcasing his class and maturity. Despite wickets tumbling around him, Mendis found valuable support from Janith Liyanage (22) and later Maheesh Theekshana (14*), who contributed a crucial 47-run partnership for the eighth wicket to see Sri Lanka home with seven balls to spare. New Zealand's Michael Bracewell put up a spirited fight, bagging 4 wickets for 36 runs—his career-best List A figures—but his efforts couldn’t prevent Sri Lanka from sealing the series in style. The victory, fueled by Mendis’ brilliance, was met with resounding applause from the home crowd, underlining Sri Lanka's dominance in ODI cricket this year.

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Analyzing Kusal Mendis's 74 runs against NZL bowlers

Kusal Mendis' masterful innings of 74* off 102 balls was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's thrilling 3-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second ODI, which also sealed the bilateral series. Facing a challenging chase of 210 runs under DLS conditions, Mendis displayed remarkable composure and skill to anchor the innings. His ability to handle New Zealand's bowling attack with precision ensured Sri Lanka emerged victorious in a closely fought contest. Each bowler tested him differently, but Mendis adapted seamlessly, playing a calculated and match-winning knock.

Against Glenn Phillips, Mendis started cautiously, scoring 17 runs off 22 balls at a strike rate of 77.3. He carefully rotated the strike while punishing the occasional loose delivery. His ability to keep Phillips at bay with a dot-ball percentage of 36.4 ensured that the pressure did not build too much during the crucial middle overs. Ish Sodhi's leg spin posed a significant challenge, but Mendis tackled it skillfully, scoring 24 runs off 23 balls with three boundaries. His strike rate of 104.3 against Sodhi reflected his confidence in taking on the spinners when required.

Jacob Duffy faced the full force of Mendis’ controlled aggression. In just 6 balls, Mendis scored a brisk 10 runs at a strike rate of 166.7, which included a crisp boundary. This attacking approach disrupted Duffy's rhythm and provided momentum to Sri Lanka's chase at a critical juncture. Meanwhile, Mendis showed patience against Michael Bracewell, adding 11 runs off 21 balls. Despite a dot-ball percentage of 47.6, Mendis’ steady approach ensured that Bracewell could not make inroads into Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.

Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin presented the toughest challenge for Mendis, as he managed only 8 runs off 25 balls with a staggering dot-ball percentage of 80. However, Mendis weathered the storm and avoided risky shots, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt. His determination to see off Santner’s spell without losing his wicket was a testament to his maturity and game awareness. Similarly, against Nathan Smith, Mendis remained cautious, scoring 4 runs off 5 balls, ensuring the target stayed within reach without taking unnecessary risks.

The defining moment of the innings came in his partnership with Maheesh Theekshana, who provided valuable support during the tense final phase of the chase. Together, they stitched a crucial 47-run stand that carried Sri Lanka over the line. Mendis’ ability to shift gears when needed and manage the chase under immense pressure exemplified his class and temperament. The victory not only secured the series for Sri Lanka but also highlighted Kusal Mendis' status as one of their most reliable and composed batters in crucial situations.

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