Shivam Mavi pips seniors Bumrah & Bhuvneshwar to join exclusive club after 'dream debut' in 1st T20I vs Sri Lanka

Shivam Mavi gave away 22 runs in four overs and picked four wickets as Team India emerged victorious by two runs in a last-ball thriller.

Fast bowler Shivam Mavi had a heroic debut for the Men in Blue in the 1st T20I between India and Sri Lanka on Tuesday at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The 24-year-old gave away 22 runs in four overs and picked four wickets as Team India emerged victorious by two runs in a last-ball thriller. Mavi drew first blood for the hosts when he bowled Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka in his very first over. In his second over, he then picked the wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva to demoralise the visitors at 24/2 in 3.5 overs and give India a perfect start to their bowling.

Indian player Shivam Mavi in action during the T20 cricket match between India and Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (PTI)

In his second spell, Mavi got rid of all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga in the 15th over to put Sri Lanka under immense pressure at 108/6 in 14.3 overs. He then scalped the wicket of tail-ender Maheesh Theekshana in the 18th over and claimed a 4-fer on debut. With match figures of 4-0-22-4, Mavi joined Barinder Sran and Pragyan Ojha in the list of best spell on men's T20I debut for India. Interestingly, his spell also fares better than those of seniors Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, on their T20I debuts for India.

Best spell on men's T20I debut for India

Player	Spell	Opposition	Year
Barinder Sran	4-0-10-4	Zimbabwe	2016
Pragyan Ojha	4-0-21-4	Bangladesh	2009
Shivam Mavi	4-0-22-4	Sri Lanka	2023
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	4-0-9-3	Pakistan	2012
Axar Patel	4-0-17-3	Zimbabwe	2015
Navdeep Saini	4-1-17-3	West Indies	2019
Jasprit Bumrah	3.3-0-23-3	Australia	2016
T Natarajan	4-0-30-3	Australia	2020

The debutant fast bowler interacted with India's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, after the match and expressed his emotions pertaining to such a superb performance in his very first match across all formats.

"When i entered the ground, it was a dream-come-true moment for me. I got the chance to play for India in my very first tour's first match, i got the chance quite early and i was waiting for this moment," said Mavi

When asked how would you celebrate in your room now? Whom would you call ?, Mavi answered: "Honestly, I will call at home and then get a good sleep because the series ahead is quite hectic".

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl. The visitors restrained India at 162/5 in 20 overs, with Deepak Hooda scoring the highest runs at 41 off 23 balls. During their chase, Sri Lanka seemed to have messed it up they needed 55 runs in 33 balls, with just four wickets in hand. But captain Dasun Shanaka's cameo of 45 off 27 balls, kept them in the hunt until he was dismissed and the score read 129/7 in 16.4 overs. Eventually needing 13 runs to win off the last six balls, all-rounder Axar Patel held his nerves while bowling the 20th over and ensured India's win.