Debutant Shivam Mavi claimed figures of 4/22, as India defeated Sri Lanka by 2 runs in a thrilling first T-20 international at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.
After being asked to bat first by Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka, Ishan Kishan got India off to a breezy start by smashing Kasun Rajitha for 17 runs in his opening over.
However Maheesh Theekshana struck by trapping Shubman Gill leg before wicket for 7.
Suryakumar Yadav (7) fell soon after as he attempted a scoop off Chamika Karunaratne and was caught at short fine leg by Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
The hosts slumped even further when Sanju Samson mistimed a hoick off Dhanajaya De Silva to Dilshan Madushanka at short third man for 5.
Skipper Hardik Pandya along with Kishan resurrected the innings with a 31 run stand for the fourth wicket before the latter top edged a slog sweep off Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva to midwicket.
Pandya’s (29) innings ended when he edged a late cut off Dilshan Madushanka to Kusal Mendis behind the stumps, as the hosts lost half their side for 94.
The pair of Deepak Hooda (41)* and Axar Patel (31)* featured in a magnificent unbeaten 68 run stand for the sixth wicket to take India to a competitive score of 162/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 163, Pathum Nissanka got a reprieve in the very first over when Sanju Samson dropped a sitter off Hardik Pandya. However Nissanka (1) failed to cash in as he was cleaned up by a peach off a delivery from Mavi.
The 24 year old Mavi claimed his second wicket by dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva caught at mid on by Samson for 8.
Charith Asalanka then top edged a pull off Umran Malik to wicket keeper Ishan Kishan, who ran behind towards fine leg and took a fantastic diving catch for 12.
Harshal Patel then struck a vital blow by dismissing the well set Mendis caught at deep cover for a 25 ball-28.
The Islanders lost half their side as Bhanuka Rajapaksa chipped a length ball from Harshal to Pandya who took a well judged catch.
The pair of Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga added 40 runs for the sixth wicket before the latter perished to Shivam Mavi for a quickfire 10 ball-21.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka kept the hosts in the hunt with some lusty hits. However Umran Malik changed the momentum in the visitors favour by dismissing Shanaka (45), caught at extra cover by Yuzvendra Chahal.
With 13 needed off the last over, Chamika Karunaratne smashed the third delivery from Axar Patel over midwicket for a maximum. However the left-arm spinner held his nerves in the end to take the hosts a two run win.
India 162 for 5 (Hooda 41*, Axar 31*) beat Sri Lanka 160 (Shanaka 45, Mavi 4-22) by 2 runs