‘Ant bhala to sab bhala’- Fans ecstatic as Axar Patel’s last-over bowling heroics help India take 1-0 lead against SL

The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka went right down to the wire. Needing 13 runs off the final over, Karunatane had almost taken his team home. But Axar Patel held his nerves and guided the team home, eventually, winning the game by 2 runs on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka won the toss and invited India to bat first. Ishan Kishan made a stunning start with a six and four in the first over. However, the arrival of Theekshana changed things around for the hosts.

The Sri Lanka spinner had Shubman Gill trapped leg-before. In his debut innings, the Indian batter got out cheaply for just 7 runs to his name. India’s best batter, Suryakumar Yadav (7 off 10) also failed to hit the straps, while Sanju Samson’s slog to Dhananjaya de Silva fell only to the hands of the man at short third man.

After 7 overs, India had lost 3 wickets for 46 runs. Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan looked to steady the ship by adding 31 runs for the fourth wicket but Kishan’s valiant knock of 37 off 29 came to an end in the 11^th over.

Hardik Pandya looked positive right throughout his innings but his wicket in the 15^th over meant India were put under extreme pressure. India needed a strong finish and it came in the form of a sensational partnership from Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel.

The duo put in an exhibition of fours and sixes as they added 68 runs for the 6^th wicket. Thanks to that partnership, India reached a challenging score of 162 runs in the first innings.

Deepak Hooda played a sensational knock of 41 runs in 23 balls, while Axar Patel amassed 31 off 20 deliveries.

On a good batting track in Mumbai, India needed to bowl well to win the game. Making his debut for India, Shivam Mavi started off brilliantly as he sent the likes of Nissanka (1) and de Silva (8) back to the hut inside the powerplay.

Wickets kept falling after the power play as well. Asalanka (12) and Rajapaksa (10) got out cheaply, while Mendis (28) was guilty of not converting the start into a big score. As a result, Sri Lanka had lost 68 for 5 in 11 overs. Dasun Shanaka then put on exhibition of fours and sixes and threatened to take the game away.

However, Umran Malik finally got his wicket in the 17th over to gave complete control to the hosts. Karunaratne, however, kept the team in the hunt and 13 runs were needed in the final over. But the Island nation fell 2 runs short in the end. Here’s a look at how fans reacted to the win:

Bowling spinner the last over wasn’t ideal but Ant bhala to Sab bhala. Well done team india. #INDvSL

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 3, 2023

Umran Malik produced a 155kph to pick up the MASSIVE WICKET of Dasun Shanaka. Groom this guy properly, ffs.

— Anuraag Peesara (@anuraagp15) January 3, 2023

155 kmph ! Dismiss SHANAKA.
UMRAN MALIK, WOW!
What a spell! What speed.
Never thought we would see an Indian bowler do this consistently at international level.
UMRAN MALIK WINS it for India along with Shivam Mavi.
Young guns fire for India. #INDvSL #SLvsIND #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/XtKq6Hrzml

— shashank singh (@shashank_singh2) January 3, 2023

4-0-22-4 : Shivam Mavi
4-0-27-2 : Umran Malik

Mavi is 24 years old, and Malik is 23. I am so happy to see the confidence with which the two youngsters have bowled today. Execution and control have been top-notch! #INDvSL

— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) January 3, 2023

Happy that Shivam Mavi has got his international cap today. He has been through a lot of physical challenges since U19 CWC days.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) January 3, 2023

What a performance on debut by Shivam Mavi, injuries halted his progress but just like his captain he knew just one language and that is hard work. A handy lower order bat, exceptional fielder and a very very good reader of the game.#INDvSL #SportsYaari

— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) January 3, 2023

https://twitter.com/Prasen_m4299/status/1610319414838325248

Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel have certainly put India back in the game. #INDvsSL

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 3, 2023

Really happy to see Umran Malik bowling a controlled spell! That ball to take the big wicket of Dasun Shanaka was 155kmph! He is now learning to keep it in control but pace isn’t going down! Hoping he continues to do well in upcoming matches. #INDvSL

— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) January 3, 2023

Deepak Hooda is having a day to remember in his life. Scored runs for India when they were just about to be blown away. Now he saved a well deserved four on Malik's ball.

— Sports.world (@moiz_sports) January 3, 2023

https://twitter.com/topedge_cricket/status/1610293414150688768

https://twitter.com/ffspari/status/1610323391046905856

https://twitter.com/ashwinravi99/status/1610288985406074881

One of the best catch you will see in recent time by a wicket keeper. Top stuff by Ishan Kishan.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 3, 2023

dhddd