New Zealand are favored to win against Sri Lanka with their dominant recent form, having won 4-1 against Sri Lanka in bilateral T20Is and maintaining an unbeaten record at this T20 World Cup with two comfortable run chases. India's recent dominance with a 48-8 win-loss record since October 2023 sets the benchmark, and New Zealand have proven competitive with 10 totals of 200 or more in 51 T20Is, making them strong contenders with DexWin - Best Odds on Your Favourite Sports.

The match starts at 1:30 PM UTC on February 25, 2026, which converts to 7:00 AM AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) or 2:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) depending on the venue location in India.

The venue will be in India as part of the 2026 T20 World Cup spread across two countries, with matches being held at various stadiums including Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, though the specific stadium for this New Zealand versus Sri Lanka fixture has not been detailed in the available information.

New Zealand are predicted to win this Super Eights group match, having demonstrated superior batting consistency with their recent 271-run total against India and proven chase capabilities throughout the tournament. Their bowling attack, led by experienced players, has restricted opposition effectively, while Sri Lanka will need to overcome the absence of fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana due to a calf strain.

In their recent bilateral series, New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka 4-1 in T20Is, establishing clear dominance heading into this World Cup encounter. The head-to-head record favors New Zealand significantly, and with both teams now in the Super Eights group stage, New Zealand's superior form and batting depth make them the stronger contenders for this crucial group match.