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With four wickets on debut which helped India clinch a two-run victory against Sri Lanka in the first T20I on Tuesday, Shivam Mavi is not looking to just bask in the glory of a dream debut but the youngster is eyeing more. After the under-19 success in 2018, Mavi finally got his due in the first T20I against Sri Lanka. The Indian pacer not just took four wickets in the first T20I against Sri Lanka but was also economical as he gave away only 22 runs in four overs.
Mavi played a crucial role in restricting the visitors in the power play. Leading the attack with captain Hardik Pandya, The Gujarat Titans duo complimented each other and reduced Sri Lanka to 51/4 in nine overs. The four-wicket performance means that Bumrah is knocking on the doors of selectors and once he is back the Indian team management might look to pair the duo.
With age on his side, Mavi is a prospect and a regular game would ensure his sustainable run in international scenarios. Speaking to bowling coach Paras Mhambrey Mavi opened up on his state of mind during the game. He said, "My main agenda is to attack first in the powerplay as I always go for lbw bowled... whether the boundaries happen or not, my mindset is to get wickets".
While everyone was in awe of Mavi's brilliant spell, coach Mhambrey too was impressed by the youngsters' transition from the under-19 setup to the senior side. But the period between 2018 to 2022 was challenging for him pertaining to injuries. The right-arm bowler also emphasised the phase and said,"After the Under-19 (World Cup in 2018) when I played in the IPL, I had injuries but I decided to level up my fitness because I was getting injured in between my performance. I decided to work hard on my fitness and it paid me back in this match."
Playing for India is a dream for many but very few get to do it regularly. With the abundance of talent available, it's difficult to find a spot in the Indian setup. Emphasising the same Mavi said that it was his dream to play for India and getting that fulfilled is itself huge, he went on to add, "It is difficult to get a chance in the first match. Also, it is my first tour. You must have seen that it's not easy to get a chance and I had been waiting for this moment for the last six years when I was injured after the U-19 (World Cup). But I believed in myself and have kept working hard with the faith that I have to play and perform for India."
The youngster is not looking to slow down after just one game and is eyeing consistence performances going forward. It's a stepping stone for him but he considers that a long journey awaits him. "Honestly, I will call up my family, then I will sleep... because the series is very hectic ahead," concluded Mavi.
