India vs Sri Lanka: 'Kept my dream alive,' says Shivam Mavi after memorable international debut

Shivam Mavi has said that it took a little longer to fulfill his dream of playing for India but over the last few years, he did not give up on it.

The 24-year-old pacer made his India debut on Tuesday during their first T20I against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium. In what turned out to be a special first appearance in the blue shirt, Mavi picked up four wickets and helped India win the game by a narrow margin of two runs.

Mavi's 4 for 22 was the third-best T20I figures for India on debut after Barinder Sran (4 for 10) in 2016 and Pragyan Ojha (4 for 21) in 2009.

Having played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from 2018 to 2022 in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mavi said that he was less nervous on Tuesday in his maiden game for India, thanks to his experience in the Indian T20 league.

"The landing zone was a little slippery. Was waiting for six years after playing U19. Had to work hard in those six years - got injured as well. For a while it looked like my dream will remain a dream. But I kept at it. Having played the IPL, the nervousness is a little less. My idea in the powerplay is to attack and get them out. Favourite dismissal was the first one, getting him bowled," said Mavi after India's two-run win.

India vs Sri Lanka: 'We won because of young guns,' says Hardik Pandya

Meanwhile, stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya backed Mavi, saying he had seen him bowl in the IPL and knew he was capable to doing well on the big stage as well.

Mavi, who is set to play under Hardik at Gujarat Titans (GT) in the upcoming edition of IPL, has so far picked up 30 wickets in 32 games.

"The conversation was very simple, I have seen him (Mavi) bowl well in the IPL and I know what his strengths are, just back yourself and don't worry about getting hit," said Hardik in the post-match presentation.

After India picked up five wickets inside 10 overs, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka took matters into his hands. He struck three fours and as many sixes in his knock of 45 off 27 balls that brought back the tourists into the game.

"I want to put this team in difficult situations because it will help us in big games (on Axar bowling the last over). Bilaterals we are very good at and this is how we are going to challenge ourselves. To be honest, all the young guns got us out of the situation today," added Hardik.

The GT captain bowled three overs on Tuesday and gave away just 12 runs. He said he has been bowling in the nets and has been working on bowling inswingers.

"Now, yes definitely (getting used to being called captain). It was just cramps. Now I have a tendency to scare people but if I am smiling then everything is fine. I did not sleep well, and did not drink enough water and hence my glutes were stiff. If the same situation is there then yes, I have worked on my swing bowling and I have worked on that (inswinger), I am bowling in nets and I like bowling with the new ball," said Hardik further.

India are 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series, with the second game scheduled to take place on Thursday at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.