Mumbai: Dream debut of pacer Shivam Mavi, who picked up 4 wickets, guided India to a thrilling win against Sri Lanka in the first T20I at Wankhede Stadium here on Tuesday.
Not only did Mavi's 4/22 proved to be a crucial bead in India's victory, Axar Patel and Deepak Hooda's unconquered 68 runs partnership for the sixth wicket also contributed for the win.
Because of this stand, India posted a challenging 162/5, after they were struggling at 94/5.
India defended the total magnificently, thanks to the last over bowled by Axar, who restrained Sri Lanka, who needed a boundary off the last ball.
Sri Lanka lost the match by 2 runs, managing 160 all out in stipulated 20 overs.
The visitors lost a couple of wickets early and could not keep the asking rate, but Captain Shanaka (45 off 27 3x4s 3x6s) hiked the pace by smoking a few balls into the stands.
The Lankan Captain, in the company of Wanindu Hasaranga 21 off 10 1x4 2x6s), looked favourites to pull off the match at this stage, but debutant Mavi weaved magic around them. He came back strongly after picking up two first wickets to dismantle their partnership.
Eventually, Umran Malik (2/27) scalped the big wicket of Shanaka, which somewhat rattled Sri Lanka chase, but Chamika Karunaratne (23 no) kept the hopes alive until end, but failed.
Sent in to bat, Hooda (41 no off 23 1x4 4x6s) and Axar (31 no off 20 3x4s 1x6) came together with India tottering at 94/5. They orchestrated an unconquered partnership in just 36 balls, which allowed India to defend a total that was not easy, given the tackiness of the pitch.
Hooda was brilliant, who belted the bad balls out of the park with disdain, and Axar was equally good, despite playing a few dot balls in the beginning.
India started off in a blistering style as ODI double-centurion Ishan Kishan (37 off 29 3x4s 2x6s) took 17 off the first over, but then Sri Lanka fought back as Indian top order - Gill (7), Surya Kumar Yadav (7) and Sanju Samson (5) - fell cheaply.
Captain Hardik Pandya scored 29 off 27 balls with four boundaries, who made cruial runs with Kishan and Hooda.
For Sri Lanka the spinners were excellent. Dilshan Madushanka (1/35) apart from his final over was impressive with his skiddy pace and tight lines.
Earlier, Shubamn Gill and Mavi earned their maiden T20I caps as the latter replaced Arshdeep Singh in the Playing XI. (UNI)