IND vs SL: Axar Patel defends 12 runs in last over to script nerve-wracking win in 1st T20I - WATCH
India won the first T20I against Sri Lanka by two runs.
In the first T20I against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Team India needed an extraordinary performance with the ball to secure an important win and all-rounder Axar Patel stood up to the occassion. With 12 needed to defend in the final over, the match was evenly poised till the very last ball but in the end, Axar managed to hold his nerve as India registered a two-run victory over the Islanders.
The decision to bowl Axar in the final over also came as a surprise with Hardik Pandya still having one over in hand. But the India T20 captain pulled out a rabbit out of his hat and decided to go with the spinner in the final over.
In the first two balls of the 20th over, the 28-year-old conceded just one run while he was hit for a six in the third delivery. Following that, the all-rounder made a great comeback, conceding just two runs in the remaining three deliveries which helped the hosts secure a narrow victory and take a lead in the T20I series.
Shivam Mavi impresses on his international debut
With just 162 runs to defend on a batting-friendly track, Team India needed something special with the ball. Rising India fast bowler Shivam Mavi rose to the occasion and impressed everyone on his international debut as the 24-year-old picked up four crucial wickets, giving away just 22 runs in his four overs. He was instrumental with the new ball and also managed to give breakthroughs whenever India needed it in the match.
Fellow pacers Umran Malik and Harshal Patel clinched two wickets each as Sri Lanka failed to capitalise on their momentum. Skipper Hardik Pandya was very happy with the team’s performance in the first T20I and also revealed the chat he had with Shivam Mavi before the latter made his debut.
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