Debutant pacer Shivam Mavi starred with the ball in India’s thrilling two-run victory over Sri Lanka in the T20I series opener at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday (January 4).

Defending a total of 162, the Men in Blue bundled out the visitors for 160 as young Mavi did the bulk of the damage with the ball.

In his maiden T20I appearance, the 24-year-old took two wickets in powerplay and a couple more in the death overs to return with the figures of 4/22 in his four overs.

After the game, India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey interacted with Shivam Mavi for bcci.tv and asked what went through his mind when skipper Hardik Pandya handed the new ball to him.

“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,” said Mavi.

Complimenting the young fast bowler, Mhambrey praised his “hardworking attitude” and also his resolution to come back from injuries.

“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,” said Mavi.

For Shivam Mavi, it was a “dream come true” as he relished his ultimate dream of playing for the country at the highest level.

“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 chance and I had been waiting for this moment from 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,” he stated.

Mavi doesn’t want to rest on his laurels in the opening match.

“Honestly, I will call up my family, then I will sleep… because the series is very hectic ahead.”

The second T20I is due to be played in Pune on Thursday (January 5).