'Hardik Pandya has backed me, but unfortunately...': India pacer with 4-fer on T20I debut clueless about lack of chances

“He (Hardik) has backed me, but unfortunately, I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t get a chance in the IPL later. I had to perform and get back to the Indian team. However, I couldn’t understand why I didn’t get enough chances,” Mavi told Crictracker.

ALSO READ: ‘Nothing in life really prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th’: Virat Kohli breaks silence on stampede during RCB’s victory celebrations

Mavi made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka in 2023 under Pandya's captaincy. He claimed four wickets for 22 runs in his quota of four overs as India won by two runs. In a space of one month, Mavi played six T20Is and took seven wickets at an average of 17.57. In his last T20I clash against New Zealand, he took two wickets for 12 runs as the Kiwi team was bowled out for 66.

ALSO READ: 'No matter how well you perform, sometimes luck does not favour you': Bhuvneshwar Kumar opens on falling of the radar since T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal

Mavi’s IPL career, no games in last 3 seasons

Mavi made his IPL debut for KKR in 2018. He played for them till 2022. From 32 games, he has 30 wickets at an average of 31.40, including a four-fer. In the IPL 2023 mini-auction, he was roped in by Gujarat Titans (GT) for Rs 6 crore but did not get a game. Later, he was released. In IPL 2024, he was picked by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 6.4 crore but ruled out due to injury. In IPL 2025 mega auction, he remained unsold. 

Mavi in red-hot form

The 26-year-old is proving his mettle in the UP T20 League 2025 for Kashi Rudras. Currently, he is the joint second-highest wicket-taker. He has taken 18 wickets from just eight games at an average of 13.44, including two four-fers. He will be in action when Kashi Rudras go up against Meerut Mavericks in Qualifier 1 on September 3.