The first T20 International (T20I) between India and Sri Lanka turned out to be an absolute thriller where the hosts defeated the visitors by two runs at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Chasing 163, the Islanders did have small partnerships throughout the game but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Captain Dasun Shanaka kept Sri Lanka in the game and fought hard with his 27-ball 45-run knock laced up with three fours and as many sixes, but the Lankans lost the momentum soon after his dismissal.
Debutant Shivam Mavi had a memorable game with the ball as the right-arm pacer went on to pick a four-wicket haul while giving away only 22 runs in his quota of 4 overs. The game did go to the wire, where India managed to win the last ball-thriller.
Earlier, the Men in Blue were in a spot of bother after losing their five wickets inside 100 runs before Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel brought back the hosts on the right track. The duo put on a brilliant unbeaten partnership of 68 runs for the sixth wicket to take their side to 162/5 in 20 overs.
While Hooda smashed an undefeated 41 from 23 deliveries with the help of five boundaries, including four sixes, Axar remained not out on 31 off 20 balls, including three fours and a maximum.
Apart from Hooda and Axar, opener Ishan Kishan and captain Hardik Pandya chipped in with vital contributions of 37 and 29, respectively. For the tourists, Wanindu Hasaranga was the least expensive bowler as he conceded 22 runs in his quota of 4 overs and picked up the prized scalp of Kishan.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
1ST T20I. India Won by 2 Run(s) #INDvSL @mastercardindia
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2023
A debut to remember for @ShivamMavi23! @umran_malik_01 fiery as always!! 🔥 Congrats on the win boys! #INDvSL
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) January 3, 2023
Shivam mavi what a debut 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 3, 2023
Happy that Shivam Mavi has got his international cap today. He has been through a lot of physical challenges since U19 CWC days.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) January 3, 2023
A home World Cup year starts with India beating Sri Lanka at the Wankhede.. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/op6PHhoLQ6
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 3, 2023
All’s well that ends well! 👌🏼
And we take the lead 🇮🇳💙 #INDvSL | #AavaDe
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) January 3, 2023
A dream debut for Shivam Mavi in his International cricket.
4 for 22 from 4 overs, took the major batters while defending 163 runs. pic.twitter.com/BnH6bqcjTT
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 3, 2023
Axar Patel bowls a tight final over and India hold their nerve to win a thriller 👏#INDvSL | Scorecard: pic.twitter.com/tkIMPAXlEJ
— ICC (@ICC) January 3, 2023
What a spell by Shivam Mavi on debut – 4/22. A fantastic start by Mavi, he becomes the 3rd Indian to pick a four wicket haul on T20i debut. pic.twitter.com/izW2IfhTZ3
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2023
SL got close, but not close enough, India win by the barest of margins, 2 runs
What a game!#INDvSL
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 3, 2023
Starting off 2023 with a 𝕎 🇮🇳💙#TeamIndia win by 2⃣ runs & lead the 3-match T20I series 1-0 💪#OneFamily #INDvSL https://t.co/4uQQuY0yKE
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 3, 2023
4️⃣-0️⃣-2️⃣2️⃣-4️⃣
Mavi-llous debut for Shivam! 🔥
📸: @BCCI #ShivamMavi #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/IMW6W8ajsU
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 3, 2023
Sri Lanka should be disappointed losing this. Was a Hari Om game for India.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 3, 2023
🤩 DREAM DEBUT! What a night Shivam Mavi had on his debut. He ends his spell with a 4-fer!
👏 Top stuff, Shivam!
📷 BCCI • #ShivamMavi #INDvSL #INDvsSL #SLvIND #TeamIndia #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/KsYaN5q1dF
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) January 3, 2023
Team India fans rn: pic.twitter.com/oP3z5gnSmN
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 3, 2023
155 kmph ! Dismiss SHANAKA.
UMRAN MALIK, WOW!
What a spell! What speed.
Never thought we would see an Indian bowler do this consistently at international level.
UMRAN MALIK WINS it for India along with Shivam Mavi.
Young guns fire for India. #INDvSL #SLvsIND #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/XtKq6Hrzml— shashank singh (@shashank_singh2) January 3, 2023
What a debut for #ShivamMavi. His bowling figure (4-0-22-4) against Sri Lanka in first T20I match.
A top class spell on debut. Brilliant Mavi.#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/y1l6BoGi9j
— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) January 3, 2023
What a debut!!! 🔥 #shivammavi
4/22 memorable moments 😲😳❤️#INDvSL #SanjuSamson #axar #hooda#patel #chahal #pandya #TeamIndia #UmranMalik #ishankishan #Wankhede #bcci 📷 pic.twitter.com/6h7UJdoIxT— Indresh kumar 🇮🇳 (@TheIndresh_IND) January 3, 2023
Share with a Cricket fan!
Read Next Article
↓↓ Scroll down ↓↓
TAGS: Deepak Hooda, India, INDvSL, Shivam Mavi, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka tour of India 2023
CATEGORY: Shivam Mavi, Twitter Reactions
For latest cricket news and updates, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.