NEW DELHI: Young Pace Controller Shivam Mavic made a memorable debut after Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel led a remarkable recovery with a 68-run unbeaten run as India survived nervous moments to a dramatic two-run win over Sri Lanka in the first T20I on Tuesday.
With this victory, India led the series of three matches with a score of 2-1. Right arm speed driver Mavi returned a number of 4/22, which is the third best number for India at the launch of the T20I after Barinder Sran (4/10) and Pragyan Ojha (April 21).
Mavi’s success lies in the captain’s faith after the 24-year-old catcher was given freedom by Hardik Pandya to not think about getting hit.
“I saw him (Mavi) bowling really well at the IPL and I just told him to keep bowling. I told him, ‘I support you. Even if you get hit, it’s okay,” Pandya said in his post-match presentation.
Pandya also explained the cramps he suffered during the match, saying “I’m used to it now. It’s just cramps, I’m fine. It was a tough night, I wasn’t feeling well and I have a discharge. If I’m smiling, everything is fine.”
Pandya also supported the decision to award the final to Axar Patel as India needed to defend 13 runs. “We could lose a game here and there but that’s okay. It was the young men who put us back in the game.”
Pandya has revealed the reason behind his great bowling as he cast a great spell with three pitches that he conceded only 12 times.
“I’ve been bowling over the net with the new ball since coming back to IPL. I’ve learned to turn it around.”
Earlier, the Indian smashers found the Sri Lankan spinners difficult to get rid of before Deepak Hooda (41 not over 23) and Axar Patel (31 not over 20) took the hosts to 162 to 5.
The Sri Lankans certainly had the firepower to chase 163 but Mavi’s goals early and late in the half turned the game in favor of the home team. The game came to an end as rotator Axar Patel managed to secure 13 runs in the final.
With this victory, India led the series of three matches with a score of 2-1. Right arm speed driver Mavi returned a number of 4/22, which is the third best number for India at the launch of the T20I after Barinder Sran (4/10) and Pragyan Ojha (April 21).
Mavi’s success lies in the captain’s faith after the 24-year-old catcher was given freedom by Hardik Pandya to not think about getting hit.
“I saw him (Mavi) bowling really well at the IPL and I just told him to keep bowling. I told him, ‘I support you. Even if you get hit, it’s okay,” Pandya said in his post-match presentation.
Pandya also explained the cramps he suffered during the match, saying “I’m used to it now. It’s just cramps, I’m fine. It was a tough night, I wasn’t feeling well and I have a discharge. If I’m smiling, everything is fine.”
Pandya also supported the decision to award the final to Axar Patel as India needed to defend 13 runs. “We could lose a game here and there but that’s okay. It was the young men who put us back in the game.”
Pandya has revealed the reason behind his great bowling as he cast a great spell with three pitches that he conceded only 12 times.
“I’ve been bowling over the net with the new ball since coming back to IPL. I’ve learned to turn it around.”
Earlier, the Indian smashers found the Sri Lankan spinners difficult to get rid of before Deepak Hooda (41 not over 23) and Axar Patel (31 not over 20) took the hosts to 162 to 5.
The Sri Lankans certainly had the firepower to chase 163 but Mavi’s goals early and late in the half turned the game in favor of the home team. The game came to an end as rotator Axar Patel managed to secure 13 runs in the final.
