Jacob Duffy starred with the ball after excellent batting efforts from Tim Robinsonmcw casino, Mark Chapman and Mitchell Hay in New Zealand's T20I win over Sri Lanka.

Duffy took 4-15 to help bowl Sri Lanka, who were chasing a target of 187, out for 141 in Mount Maunganui on Monday, putting New Zealand into an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Robinson had earlier struck 41 from 34 deliveries, while Mark Chapman tallied up a brisk 42 at the other end following Rachin Ravindra's swift dismissal.

With Glenn Phillips adding 23 and Daryl Mitchell contributing 18, Mitchell Hay plundered an unbeaten 41 off just 19 balls to guide the hosts to 186-5.

"It wasn't easy. I didn’t get to play for the national side for close to nine months," Sharmila was quoted as saying in a Hockey India (HI) release.

During the tour, India secured a 2-2 (4-2 SO) win against Belgium in their first game but lost 2-3 in the second match against the same opponent. They faced a narrow 5-4 defeat against Bredase Hockey Vereniging.

Pathum Nissanka (37) and Kusal Perera (48) offered Sri Lanka hope, but both were dismissed by the brilliant Duffy, after Mitchell Santner (2-22) had sent Kusal Mendis (10) packing.

Sri Lanka's innings fell flat from there, with Charith Asalanka (20) the only other batter to reach double figures, while Duffy took his final two wickets in the space of three balls in the 18th over.

The final T20I takes place in Nelson on Thursday.

A series victory to start the tenure pic.twitter.com/ZNP0hY4Xs0

Data Debrief: Black Caps set sights on T20I record

New Zealand have won six T20Is in 2024, meaning they have matched their best tally of victories in the format in a calendar year (six, set in 2021).

A victory in Nelson on Thursday would see them set a new national record in the shortest format.

Phillips, meanwhile, requires 77 more runs to become the fourth player to score 2,000 runs for New Zealand in men's T20Is, after Martin Guptill, Kane Williamsonmcw casino, and Brendon McCullum.