(Agencies) - A four-wicket haul from debutant fast bowler Shivam Mavi steered India to a thrilling two-run victory over Sri Lanka on Tuesday in the first Twenty20 International of a three-match series.
Put into bat at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India struggled to impose themselves until a 68-run partnership between Deepak Hooda (41) and Axar Patel (31) for the sixth wicket gave the hosts a much-needed boost and pushed them to a total of 162.
The visitors' chase then got off to a catastrophic start as Mavi struck early with the ball to remove Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva.
The 24-year-old Mavi later added the scalps of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana to cap a dream debut.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka provided some resistance, scoring 45 off 27, but his side were unable to build on his knock and fell just short of their target.
"I was waiting for this moment for the last six years. Had injuries in between and it felt my dream will never come true," Mavi said.
The second T20I of the series will be held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Wednesday.
Chief scores:
IND: 162 for five (20) (Deepak Hooda 45*, Ishan Kishan, 37, Wanindu Hasaranga 1/22, D De Silva 1/6) beat
SL: 160 all out (20) (Dasun Shanaka 45, Kusal Mendis 28, Shivam Mali 4/22, Umran Malik 2/27)
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
Update: Five of the twelve passengers on board the bell 212 aircraft that crashed into the Maduru Oya today, have succumbed to their injuries, the SLAF said.
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