IND vs SL 1st T20I Post Match Presentation: Hardik Pandya said “we might lose a game here and there” following India’s 2-run victory against Sri Lanka in the first T20I match of the Sri Lanka tour of India 2023.
IND vs SL 1st T20I Post Match Presentation
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first whereas India scored 162 runs for 5 wickets loss at the end of the 20 overs. Right after India’s top order collapsed, Indian middle-order players made an impressive partnership and led India towards a decent score.
Sri Lankan players gave equal tough to the Indian bowlers and dragged the team towards a position where the visitors were in need of 13 runs off the last over. Hardik has one over left but he has trusted Axar Patel with the deciding over.
Axar started the over with a wide while Karunaratne struck a six off the 3rd delivery and loaded pressure over the bowler. Axar with the back-to-back wickets off the last two delivery leads India towards a narrow victory.
India has begun 2023 with a victory under Hardik Pandya. Hardik had to leave the field for a brief while after taking a catch, in his absence Suryakumar Yadav captained India.
During the post-match presentation, Hardik said: “It is just cramps. Now I have tendency to scare people. I did not sleep well, and did not drink enough water and hence the glutes were stiff. I was unwell and I had my fluids down,” Hardik said at the presentation ceremony.
With Sri Lanka needing 13 runs in the last over to overhaul India’s total of 162, the decision to give spinner Axar Patel the ball was a bit surprising.
“We might lose a game here and there but it’s alright. I want to put this team in difficult situations because it will help us in big games. Bilaterals we are very good at and this is how we are going to challenge ourselves.
“To be honest, all the young guns got us out of the situation today.” One of the youngsters who shone bright on the night was debutant pacer Shivam Mavi. The skipper was full of praise for the fast bowler, who picked up 4/22 in his first T20 outing.
“The conversation was very simple, I have seen him (Mavi) bowl well in the IPL and I know what are his strengths, just back yourself and don’t worry about getting hit.
“I just told him to simply bowl. I told him, ‘I am backing you. Even if you get hit, it’s fine.’ If the same situation is there, I will take the new ball.”
He added, “I have been bowling in the nets with the new ball since I returned in the IPL. I have learnt how to swing it back.”
Surprised to see Axar bowling the final over? Here’s Captain @hardikpandya7 revealing the reason behind the move. #INDvSL #TeamIndia @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/dewHMr93Yi
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2023
Dasun Shanaka On the Defeat Against India
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said the visitors ought to have won the game. “It was (our game to lose). Really disappointing with the way we finished. In Wankhede, you need the batsmen to help you cross the line.
“I use the matchups really well and that’s the reason we restricted India to 162. It is still the first game and they (batters) are really good bunch of youngsters, they will come good,” Shanaka said.
Shivam Mavi on his Performance
Shivam Mavi remains one of the names that created heat during the IPL 2023 auction. He was sold for INR 6 Cr to Gujarat Titans during the event. Mavi bagged 4 wickets in the first T20I match at an economy rate of 5.50.
Mavi said he has been waiting for the last six years to get into the senior Indian team.
“Was waiting for six years after playing U19. Had to work hard in those six years – got injured as well. For a while it looked like my dream will remain a dream. But I kept at it.
“Having played the IPL, the nervousness is a little less. My idea in the powerplay is to attack and get them out. Favourite dismissal was the first one, getting him bowled,” Mavi said.
India lead the 3-match T20I series by winning the first match while the second match will be played on January 5 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
