Shivam Mavi recalls his maiden India call-up moment

After an impressive season in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022 (ten wickets from seven matches), India pacer Shivam Mavi earned his maiden India call-up against Sri Lanka for the T20I series.

Keeping an eye on the T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian management is looking to build a squad with young talent and Mavi seems to be in the scheme of things. The 24-year-old has also switched sides in the Indian Premier League as he was recently roped in by the defending champions Gujarat Titans for INR 6 crore at the IPL auction.

Thus, his progress in T20 cricket wasn’t overlooked when the selectors announced the squad for the upcoming series.

The Uttar Pradesh-born cricketer revealed that everything came to a standstill when he learned about his maiden call-up. The pacer mentioned that he was with his teammates Saurabh Kumar and Samarth Singh when the squad was announced and also stated that he was very emotional after the announcement.

“When we play domestic games, we normally hit the bed early to get proper rest. But that day, because I heard the team was about to be announced, I was sitting in Saurabh [left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar] bhaiyya's room with Samarth [Singh]. As soon as I learnt of my selection, for a split second, everything came to a standstill. It was an amazing feeling. I was emotional, but I knew my time had come,” Mavi told ESPNcricinfo.

Going to Gujarat Titans will mean more chances to play: Mavi

Despite being a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise for five years, the young Indian pacer has featured in only 32 IPL games and has picked up 30 wickets at an economy of 8.71.

Now, with Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur in the fold for KKR, Mavi believes that it was going to be difficult for him to get enough opportunities at the franchise, and thus, a switch can help him get more opportunities to play in the IPL.

“When KKR brought Umesh [Umesh Yadav] bhaiyya into their fold last year, then it was apparent that he would be the lead Indian fast bowler, and that my opportunities would dry up. Now they also have Shardul [Thakur], and I was clearly not going to get ample opportunities to express myself.

I think going to Gujarat Titans will mean more chances to play, and a greater opportunity to express myself. Add to that this India selection, and the experiences I get from the dressing room will make me a much better bowler,” Mavi added.