MUMBAI: Hardik Pandya, India's new T20I captain, is eager to see how his team handles difficult situations as he strives to transform it into a team capable of ending the country's absence from international competition.
India started the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on a winning note under Hardik's leadership, defeating the islanders by two runs here on Tuesday.
After making a catch, Hardik had to leave the field for a while.
"All it is are cramps. Presently I have propensity to alarm individuals. Because I didn't get enough sleep and water, my glutes were stiff. During the ceremony for the presentation, Hardik stated, "I was sick and I had my fluids down."
The decision to give spinner Axar Patel the ball was a little surprising considering that Sri Lanka needed 13 runs in the final over to surpass India's total of 162.
"We could lose a game to a great extent however it's okay. Because it will assist us in important games, I want to put this team in difficult situations. We are very good at bilaterals, and this is how we will test ourselves.
"All the young guns, to be honest, got us out of the situation today."
Debut pacer Shivam Mavi was one of the youngsters who stood out on the night. The fast bowler, who got 4/22 in his first T20 game, received a lot of praise from the skipper.
"The conversation was very straightforward; I have observed him (Mavi) bowl successfully in the Indian Premier League and am aware of his strengths; just back yourself and don't worry about getting hit.
"I simply instructed him to bowl. I assured him, "I am supporting you." It's fine if you get hit.' I will take the new ball if the situation is the same."
He went on to say, "Since I returned to the IPL, I have been bowling in the nets with the new ball." I know how to swing it back now."
Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, stated that the visitors should have won the game.
"It was (our loss in the game). The manner in which we concluded was extremely disappointing. To cross the line in Wankhede, you need the batsmen.
"I use the matchups very well, which is why we limited India to 162." "They (the batsmen) are a really good group of young people, and they will come good," Shanaka stated. "It is still the first game."
Mavi claimed that he has waited six years for a spot in the senior Indian team.
"After playing for U19, was waiting six years. During those six years, had to put in a lot of effort and got hurt. My dream appeared to remain a dream for a while. But I persevered.
"After playing in the IPL, I'm a little less nervous. In the powerplay, my plan is to attack and drive them out. Mavi stated, "Favorite dismissal was the first, getting him bowled."