Shivam Mavi first grabbed everybody’s consideration when he starred for India on the 2018 Under-19 World Cup. Bowling with nice tempo, he shaped a deadly tempo pair with Kamlesh Nagarkoti. In the identical yr, he was purchased by the Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL. However, the street forward was not easy as accidents dented his profession. He went via a prolonged rehabilitation and steadily made a comeback. In the IPL 2023 public sale, Mavi was picked 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 assist the hosts bowl out Sri Lanka for 160 in a victory goal of 163 and lead the three-match collection 1-0 in Mumbai.

This is the third-best figures 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 down 163 however Mavi’s strikes at back and front finish of the innings tilted the sport in favour of the house workforce.

“The landing zone was a little slippery. Was waiting for six years after playing U19. Had to work hard in those six years – got injured as well. For a while it looked like my dream will remain a dream. But I kept at it. Having played the IPL, the nervousness is a little less. My idea in the powerplay is to attack and get them out. Favourite dismissal was the first one, getting him bowled,” Shivam Mavi mentioned after the match.

“Nerves were 3-4 on a scale of ten because you know what to expect when you have played the IPL. The first wicket was my favourite.”

The 24-year-old Mavi was ably supported by fellow tempo bowlers Umran Malik and Harshal Patel as they picked up two wickets every.

Axar Patel, a left-arm spinner, held his nerve in a tense final over when Sri Lanka wanted 12 for a win and Chamika Karunaratne gave India a scare together with his unbeaten 23.

Deepak Hooda (41) and Axar (31) arrange victory with an unbeaten 68-run sixth-wicket stand that steered India to 162-5 after being examined by the Sri Lankan bowlers.

With AFP inputs

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