Skip to content
KhelKing
Get ID Now

CricketSri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2027 · game 2 of 8

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI prediction

New Zealand65% · fair 1.54
KhelKing lean65%New Zealand 65%, Sri Lanka 35%
Sri Lanka35% · fair 2.86
Start
Start time to be confirmed
Date
Wed, 20 Jan 2027
Venue
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Format
ODI · 50 overs · grassy, seam-friendly pitch
By KhelKing Cricket Desk, match analysisUpdated

The case · 01

Who wins NZ vs SL, and why?

The argument for the favourite, and the route to an upset.

Why they should win

New Zealand

  1. Rated 65% by KhelKing, which is a fair back price of 1.54.
  2. A projected 9-run cushion in the first-innings total (317 to 308).
  3. Home conditions: New Zealand know a grassy, seam-friendly surface like this better than anyone.
  4. Tim Southee, their likeliest match-winner (trusted at the end of the innings).

How they could upset it

Sri Lanka

  1. 35% to win, which is roughly one game in 3.
  2. One big session can flip the momentum of a series.
  3. Winning the toss on this pitch would hand them a few extra points.
  4. Angelo Mathews can win a game single-handed (balances the xi).

By the numbers · 02

How many runs will New Zealand and Sri Lanka score?

Projected runs in each phase of the first innings at Sky Stadium.

  • New Zealand rated 65%, a strong lean. Back them only at 1.54 or longer.
  • A pitch that suits seamers, with New Zealand projected to post the higher total.
  • New Zealand have home conditions in their favour.
KhelKing pick
New Zealand
Format
ODI · 50 overs
Pitch
grassy, seam-friendly
Suits
Seamers
Powerplay (0-10)
Middle Overs (11-40)
Death Overs (41-50)
New Zealand Sri LankaInnings: NZ 293-341 · SL 285-331

Deciding factors · 03

Which factors will settle this match?

The pitch first, then the two factors carrying the most weight in this fixture.

  1. Pitch read

    Grass cover and early moisture mean the new ball should talk. The first 15 overs carry the most risk, and batting gets clearly easier once that spell is survived. New Zealand play on surfaces like this week in, week out.

    EdgeNew Zealand

  2. Toss call

    Send the other side in. Early assistance for the seamers is too good to hand over.

    EdgeToss winner

  3. Series pressure

    A win puts New Zealand in charge with 6 games to go. A defeat hands Sri Lanka the momentum.

    EdgeNew Zealand

How to play it · 04

How should you back or lay NZ vs SL on KhelKing?

Fair prices for both teams, then three selections from the safest to the boldest.

Back

New Zealand

Accept 1.54 or longer. A ₹100 back at 1.54 pays ₹154 including your stake.

Fair price1.5465%
Lay

Sri Lanka

Lay only at 2.86 or shorter. At 2.86, a ₹100 lay puts ₹186 at risk to win ₹100.

Fair price2.8635%
SaferThree ways to play itBolder

  1. AnchorLowest risk

    Match odds

    Back New Zealand

    The headline call. Worth backing only at 1.54 or longer.

    65% chance1.54

  2. ValueBalanced

    New Zealand first-innings total

    Over 301.5

    A 301.5 line leaves roughly 15 runs of headroom against our 317 projection.

    57% chance1.75

  3. Long shotHighest reward

    Top team batter

    Tim Southee (New Zealand)

    Trusted at the end of the innings. A long-odds market, so keep the stake small.

    21% chance4.76

Match-winners · 05

Who can swing New Zealand vs Sri Lanka?

Impact scores estimate how likely each player is to settle the result. XIs are named at the toss.

New Zealand

  • Tim Southee85

    Trusted at the end of the innings

  • Devon Conway90

    Fast starter at the top

Sri Lanka

  • Angelo Mathews85

    Balances the XI

  • Matheesha Pathirana92

    Trusted at the end of the innings

What could change · 06

What would change the KhelKing prediction?

Team news and conditions that would move our numbers before the first ball.

  1. If

    Tim Southee misses out

    Then

    New Zealand would drop by about five points, turning this into a clear lean.

  2. If

    Sri Lanka win the toss

    Then

    On a pitch where the toss counts, that alone shifts a couple of points to Sri Lanka.

  3. If

    rain cuts the overs

    Then

    A shorter game adds randomness, which works in the underdog's favour.

The long read · 07

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match preview

Without either, the favourites should stay in control.

Game 2 of 8 is where Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2027 begins to take shape. KhelKing rates New Zealand as the better-equipped side for a grassy, seam-friendly ODI surface, at 65%. New Zealand are on home soil, and the model adds a few percentage points for that. Sri Lanka need early wickets or one match-winning innings. Without either, the favourites should stay in control.

On the toss: Send the other side in. Early assistance for the seamers is too good to hand over.

Series window, not a confirmed XI date. Confirm the date on match day.

Fixture timeline · 08

Fixture timeline: 2nd ODI

Rest days, travel and what comes next in Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2027.

The 2nd ODI is staged at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Wed, 20 Jan 2027, game 2 of 8 in the series.

The 1st ODI comes 4 days before this game at McLean Park in Napier, so the squads travel to Wellington in between. That is enough recovery for both sides to field their first-choice XIs.

Next on the calendar: the 3rd ODI, 5 days after this game at University Oval in Dunedin.

More from Sky Stadium on the KhelKing schedule: 3rd T20I: New Zealand vs India (29 Oct), 2nd ODI: New Zealand vs India (12 Nov) (2 fixtures in total).

  1. 16 Jan1st ODI: New Zealand vs Sri LankaMcLean Park
  2. 20 Jan · this match2nd ODI: New Zealand vs Sri LankaSky Stadium
  3. 25 Jan3rd ODI: New Zealand vs Sri LankaUniversity Oval

Keep reading

More KhelKing cricket predictions

Back or lay in-play

Trade this match on your KhelKing ID

Cricket, football and tennis on one ID, with 24/7 WhatsApp support in English and Hindi. Fix a budget before you play.

Sign upFull match schedule

18+ only · Play responsibly

Browse every prediction

FAQ · 10 questions

NZ vs SL 2nd ODI FAQs

Quick, straight answers to what cricket, football and tennis fans ask us most.

Ask support on WhatsApp

Who will win the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI?

KhelKing expects New Zealand to win, rating them 65% against 35% for Sri Lanka, which is a strong lean. The pick blends team ratings, home advantage and how a grassy, seam-friendly surface at Sky Stadium should play.

What are the fair odds for New Zealand in the NZ vs SL 2nd ODI?

A 65% rating converts to fair decimal odds of 1.54 for New Zealand and 2.86 for Sri Lanka. If the exchange back price is shorter than that, the bet offers no value by our numbers.

What time does the NZ vs SL 2nd ODI start in India?

The series window places it on Wed, 20 Jan 2027 (start time to be confirmed) at Sky Stadium, Wellington, but the board has not yet confirmed the date or start time. KhelKing updates this page as soon as it does.

What is the pitch report for Sky Stadium in the NZ vs SL 2nd ODI?

We expect a grassy, seam-friendly surface that should favour the quicks. Grass cover and early moisture mean the new ball should talk. The first 15 overs carry the most risk, and batting gets clearly easier once that spell is survived.

Should the captain bat or bowl first in the NZ vs SL 2nd ODI?

Send the other side in. Early assistance for the seamers is too good to hand over. The toss takes place about 30 minutes before the start, when both XIs are named.

Can Sri Lanka win the NZ vs SL 2nd ODI?

Yes, though they need early wickets or a match-winning knock. KhelKing gives Sri Lanka a 35% chance, and that climbs if they win a toss that matters or New Zealand change their best XI.

Why could Sri Lanka upset New Zealand in the NZ vs SL 2nd ODI?

35% to win, which is roughly one game in 3. One big session can flip the momentum of a series. Winning the toss on this pitch would hand them a few extra points. Angelo Mathews can win a game single-handed (balances the xi).

How should I trade the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI on KhelKing?

By KhelKing numbers, back New Zealand at 1.54 or longer, or lay Sri Lanka at 2.86 or shorter. A lay wins whenever Sri Lanka fail to win; at 2.86, a ₹100 lay carries ₹186 of liability. Prices move before and during play, so check the live back and lay odds first.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI match kaun jeetega?

KhelKing ke model ke mutabik New Zealand ka palda bhaari hai: 65%, jabki Sri Lanka ka 35%. Match Wed, 20 Jan 2027 (start time to be confirmed) shuru hoga. Yeh ek anumaan hai, guarantee nahi.

NZ vs SL 2nd ODI ke liye Wellington ki pitch report kya hai?

Humara andaaza hai ki pitch grassy, seam-friendly rahegi, yaani tez gendbaazon ko shuruaat mein swing aur seam milega. Toss match se lagbhag aadha ghanta pehle hoga.

The win chances, projected scores and picks here come from the KhelKing model, which weighs team strength, venue history and conditions. They are estimates, never guarantees, and every bet settles at the live exchange price you accept. For adults 18+ only. Fix a budget before you bet and gamble responsibly.

Check it at the source

Sources and official information

External sites open in a new tab. We aren't affiliated with them.