Hooda, Mavi star as India beat Sri Lanka in last-over thriller

India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with a nail-biting two-run win over the visitors at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel shined for the Men in Blue in this nervy encounter, with the pair adding 68 runs to take the hosts to a defendable target of 162 for five. Shivam Mavi picked up four wickets on debut in the run chase before Axar Patel defended 12 runs in the final over to give Hardik Pandya’s side a narrow win to kickstart the series.

Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill opened for the hosts in the absence of the rested trio of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma. The left-hander gave the Men in Blue the perfect start after Sri Lanka won the toss, taking Kasun Rajitha for 17 runs in the opening over. Gill drove Dilshan Madushanka through the covers to get off the mark in T20Is, but the introduction of Maheesh Theekshana in the third over got Sri Lanka back into the contest.

The spinner dismissed Gill LBW with a delivery that skidded on and conceded just seven runs in his two powerplay overs to put the pressure back on the hosts. India also lost star batter Suryakumar Yadav in the final over of the powerplay, with the number three mistiming his ramp into the hands of short fine leg. With the Wankhede surfacing offering some grip and turn, the Sri Lankan spinners dominated the middle overs.

Dhananjaya de Silva removed Sanju Samson for five, while Hasaranga pocketed Ishan Kishan with a googly. The skipper Hardik Pandya was also bogged down by the spinners through the middle and departed for a 27-ball 29 in the 15th over, leaving India in a spot of bother at 94 for five. The hosts were in danger of not reaching a par score at that stage, but Axar Patel and Deepak Hooda added 68 runs in the final 35 deliveries to give the Men in Blue the perfect finish. Hooda carted Theekshana for consecutive sixes, while Axar took on the pacers to take India to 162 for five at the halfway stage.

In response, the Men in Blue got off to the perfect start in the run chase. Hardik Pandya found plenty of movement with the new ball, while debutant Shivam Mavi bagged two wickets in the powerplay, restricting Sri Lanka to 44 for two after six. Umran Malik and Harshal Patel kept up the pressure through the middle overs. Kishan took a superb diving catch to send back Charith Asalanka, while Harshal Patel removed Mendis and Rajapaksa to leave the visitors reeling at 68 for five.

However, just as the game seemed to be running away from Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka retaliated with a sublime counter-attack. The skipper added 45 runs from 27 balls and was well-complemented by Wanindu Hasaranga to take the game deep. Unfortunately for the tourists, Umran Malik removed Shanaka using his extra pace, and Axar Patel closed the game out in the final over to give India a thrilling two-run win.