The Indian Cricket Team started the home season with a thrilling 2-run win over Sri Lanka in the first T20I match played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 3 January 2023. However, Shubman Gill and Shivam Mavi made their debuts as well.
Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to field first. Despite a flying start by Ishan Kishan, the Indian batting struggled as they lost wickets of debutant Shubman Gill, Surya Kumar Yadav, and Sanju Samson. Kishan looked impressive before giving his wicket away. Hardik Pandya also fell as India looked in trouble at 94 for 5. Axar Patel and Deepak Hooda put pressure on the Lankan bowling line up putting on unbeaten 68 runs in quick time to help Team India post 162 for 5.
Shivam Mavi was given a debut cap before the match. He got off to a perfect start dismissing Pathum Nissanka through the gate and then dismissed Dhanajaya de Silva caught by Samson at mid-on. Umran Malik bowled with pace troubling the Sri Lankan batters getting rid of Asalanaka with a stunning catch by Ishan Kishan.
Hasranaga and Shanaka showed intent putting pressure on Indian bowling. Mavi was bought into the attack getting the breakthrough dismissing Hasranaga caught by Hardik Pandya at mid-off. Hasranaga and Shanaka added 40 runs for the 6th wicket. He then got rid of Mahesh Theekshana caught by Surya Kumar Yadav at long-off. It was a remarkable performance by Mavi picking up 4 for 22 in 4 overs.
For his brilliant bowling figures of 4/22 on his debut game, @ShivamMavi23 is our Top Performer from the second innings.
A look at his bowling summary here 👇👇#INDvSL @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/nkDyHeRLCo
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2023
Shivam Mavi made headlines with his stunning show
The match went right down the wire as Axar Patel defended 13 runs in the final over. He held onto his nerves as the Indian team began the home season with a close-fought win.
It has been an exceptional few weeks for Shivam Mavi. He was bought for Rs 6 Crore by Gujarat Titans in the 2023 IPL auction. Mavi was bought by KKR for Rs 7.25 Crore His performance was not up to the mark as he took only 5 wickets from 6 matches at an economy of 10.32 runs per over.
Barinder Sran registered the best figures by an Indian on his T20I debut. He grabbed 4 for 10 against Zimbabwe on June 20, 2016. Pragyan Ojha picked up 4 for 21 in the 2009 T20 World Cup against Bangladesh on 6th June 2009. For his best match-winning performance, Ojha was named the player of the match award.
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