IND VS SL - 1st T20I, Sri Lanka tour of India, 2023

So, India start 2023 with a nail-biting victory. They would take that any day as the odds were against them after Sri Lanka won the toss and sent them in. Hooda and Axar played a couple of cameos to get them to a par total and then the bowlers came to the party, led by debutant Shivam Mavi. Sri Lanka would be gutted as they could have paced the chase better and waited for the dew to play its part, but the batters threw their wickets away and left the lower order with too much to do. India take a 1-0 lead and the second match is in Pune on Thursday. Join us for that game. Until next time, goodbye and stay safe..

Hardik Pandya | India captain: Now, yes definitely (getting used to being called captain). It is just cramps. Now I have tendency to scare people but if I am smiling then everything is fine. I did not sleep well, did not drink enough water and hence the glutes were stiff. I want to put this team in difficult situations because it will help us in big games (on Axar bowling the last over). 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. 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. If the same situation is there then yes, I have worked on my swing bowling and I have worked on that (inswinger), I am bowling in nets and I like bowling with the new ball.

Deepak Hooda | Player of the Match: I try my best to practice according to the number I bat. We were discussing it is a matter of 2-3 hits and that we will get with some momentum. I want to contribute in every manner. I am coming on the back of domestic cricket and know how to target the spinners.

Dasun Shanaka | Sri Lanka captain: 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.

Mavi: The landing zone was a little slippery. 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.

Narrowest win margin for India in T20Is (by runs)
1 run vs SA Colombo RPS 2012
1 run vs Ban Bengaluru 2016
2 runs vs SL Mumbai WS 2023 *
3 runs vs Zim Harare 2016
4 runs vs Ire Malahide 2022

11th consecutive win for India against Sri Lanka in completed T20Is played in India

Best figures on T20I debut for India
4/10 Barinder Sran vs Zim Harare 2016
4/21 Praghyan Ojha vs Ban Nottingham 2009
4/22 Shivam Mavi vs SL Mumbai WS 2023

22:43 Local Time, 17:13 GMT: India have defended a total at the Wankhede. A venue known for chasing but Sri Lanka fall just short. There was supposed to be dew and it did arrive but a bit late than usual by which time Sri Lanka's innings was more than halfway through. They lost a couple of wickets early and could not keep up with the asking rate, the impetus to the innings came when Shanaka walked out to the middle and started to send a few balls into the crowd, he was supported by Hasaranga and at that stage the visitors looked favorites. But Mavi, who had picked up the first two wickets, came back and broke the partnership and Umran followed it up with the big wicket of Shanaka a couple of overs later. Karunaratne carried the fight forward but found himself a boundary short of victory. Presentations coming up..

Axar to Karunaratne, out Madushanka Run Out!! 1 run completed. Axar has done it. India win by 2 runs. The whole team rushes towards Axar and mob him. He's kept his nerve under pressure and delivered. Karunaratne walks back dejected. He tried hard but fell just short. Axar went over the wicket and darted it in, might have been in the slot but Karunaratne was not able to get under it, he mistimes the heave to deep mid-wicket and knew immediately the game was lost, Madushanka was looking for the second but Karunaratne had his back turned to him. Hooda throws to Ishan Kishan and he does the rest. Madushanka run out (Hooda/Ishan Kishan) 0(0)

Axar to Karunaratne, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

Dilshan Madushanka, right handed bat, comes to the crease

4 off 1. Who's going to hold their nerve? Karunaratne has taken off his helmet. He wants a clear view of that ball. Axar goes over the wicket. Here we go..

Axar to Karunaratne, out Rajitha Run Out!! 1 run completed. Rajitha sacrifices his wicket. Karunaratne pats him on the back as he walks away. Fired full and offers no room, Karunaratne flicks it to deep mid-wicket and he was always going back for the second, Hooda goes to the bowler's end and though Axar fumbles, there's enough time to recover and take the bails off. Rajitha is well short of the crease and was not even in the frame. Rajitha run out (Hooda/Axar) 5(4)

Axar to Karunaratne, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

Axar to Karunaratne, no run, this is turning into a cat and mouse contest. Axar goes slower and outside off, Karunaratne moves around and then lets it go, once again thinking it is a wide but umpire Anil Kumar Chaudhary shakes his head

Long discussion between Axar and Hardik. Ishan Kishan joins in and this must be about where to bowl because they can't do much about the field. 5 off 3

Axar to Karunaratne, SIX, this is a superb hit under pressure. Axar was going quicker and into the surface, Karunaratne waits on the back foot and nails the pull over cow corner. Fine connection and the ball sails over

Axar to Karunaratne, no run, flatter and outside off, Karunaratne moves away and then allows it to pass. He thought it was a wide but it was clearly inside the marker. 11 off 4

Axar to Rajitha, 1 run, drifting in with the angle and Rajitha works it into the mid-wicket region, brings Karunaratne on stirke. 11 off 5