Shivam Mavi’s dream debut was a remarkable one. His four-wicket run made the difference in India’s win by two runs over Sri Lanka.
India batters struggled to defeat the spinners from Sri Lanka before Deepak Hooda (41 out of 23) and Axar Ptel (31 out of 20) brought the hosts up to 162 for five.
Although the Sri Lankans had the power to chase down 163, Mavi’s runs at the front and back of the innings tipped the balance in favour of the home side. The game was close with spinner Axar Ptel managing to protect 13 runs in the final over. Mavi finished with an impressive score of four runs for 22 in four innings.
Chamika Karunaratne (23/23 not out of 16) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (4/27), both fought vainly as Sri Lanka won 160 runs in 20 overs.
This is the lowest total India can defend at this stadium.
Hardik Pandya, Skipper, decided to bowl the first ball and the pressure he created helped Mavi at the other. Hardik was a full-throttle bowler and gave away very little in his three-over stint.
Mavi’s moment to remember was in his first over. He showed incredible composure and fought back from being hit for two-fours by Kusal Mendis. Pathum Nissanka didn’t know about Mavi’s beautiful delivery, which jagged back in to break the stumps. Hardik had already saved his life.
Mavi also got hit in his second over, hitting for a few fours before Dhanajaya De Silva was caught at mid-on.
It was 47 for three in eighth-over when Ishan Kishan made a spectacular catch running backwards after Charith Andalanka mistimed Umran Malik’s pull.
Harshal Patel, pacer Harshal Patel, was fortunate to get his first wicket. A dangerous looking Mendis found the deep fielder before getting rid Bhanuka Rajapaksa using a slower ball. Sri Lanka was left struggling at 68 for 5. After Rajapaksa’s catch, Hardik was forced to leave the field.
With a quickfire 40-run stand of 23 balls, Hasaranga and Shanaka kept the game exciting. Hasaranga relieved the Indians of the pressure by taking Yuzvendra Chahal to the ground for back-to back sixes at mid-wicket. This reduced the score to 56 runs from 36 balls.
Mavi was brought back to end the threatening partnership. Hasaranga was caught at mid-off. Shanaka kept Sri Lanka alive in the game, before Umran took control in the 17th over.
Chamika Karunratne provided a ray for hope to the visitors, and the game ended at the final over. Axar was called to defend 13, Hardik being unable to bowl the fourth over due to a fall on field.
Axar and Hooda shared an unbeaten 68 run stand off 38 balls, the sixth wicket. India were at a poor 94 for five at Wankhede Stadium.
