IND vs SL, 1st T20I: Shivam Mavi scalps four wicket against Sri Lanka©AFP
Shivam Mavi first caught everyone’s attention when he played for India in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup. Bowling at a fast pace, he formed a deadly pace pair with Kamlesh Nagarkoti. In the same year, he was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL. However, the road ahead was not smooth as injuries dented his career. He underwent a lengthy rehabilitation and gradually made a comeback. In the IPL 2023 auction, Mavi was snapped up by Gujarat Titans for a whopping Rs 6 crore. And on Tuesday, Mavi made a dream debut for India. Mavi returned figures of 4-22 to help the hosts bowl out Sri Lanka for 160 in a 163 win goal to lead the three match run 1-0 in Mumbai.
These are the third best marks by an Indian debutant in T20Is after Barinder Sran (4/10 vs Zimbabwe, Harare 2016) and Pragyan Ojha (4/21 vs Bangladesh, Nottingham 2009). The Sri Lankans certainly had the firepower to chase 163, but Mavi’s attacks in the front and back of the innings tipped the game in favor of the home side.
“The landing zone was a bit slippery. Waited six years after playing U19. Had to work hard in those six years – also got injured. For a moment it looked like my dream will remain a dream. But I stuck with it” After having played the IPL, the nervousness is a little less. My idea in the power play is to attack and get them out. Favorite dismissal was the first one, which got him bowled,” said Shivam Mavi after the match.
“Nerves were 3-4 on a scale of ten because you know what to expect when you’ve played the IPL. The first wicket was my favourite.”
The 24-year-old Mavi was ably supported by fellow pace bowlers Umran Malik and Harshal Patel as they each took two wickets.
Axar Patel, a left arm spinner, kept his nerve in the final match as Sri Lanka needed 12 for a win and Chamika Karunaratne terrified India with his unbeaten 23.
Deepak Hooda (41) and Axar (31) took the win with an unbeaten 68-run sixth wicket stand that sent India to 162-5 after being tested by the Sri Lankan bowlers.
With AFP inputs
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