Shivam Mavi hopes for Test call up after good show at Duleep Trophy

BENGALURU, July 7:  Shivam Mavi, who recorded a six-wicket haul, including prized wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and Suryakumar Yadav, in the ongoing Duleep Trophy semifinals, expressed hope to get a chance in Test matches.

“In the last two to three years, I have been doing really well in red-ball cricket. It is not that I want to play only one format; I am working hard in all three formats. Hopefully, I will get a chance in Test matches,” he told reporters at the close of play on Day 1.  Mavi created a storm by making Suryakumar Yadav (7), Cheteshwar Pujara (28) and Sarfaraz Khan (0) his victims.

After his great show for Under-19 India, Mavi has been looking for a Test call for the national side. He has already debuted for India in the T20 format and has claimed seven wickets in six T20 matches.

Asked how it was bowling to senior pros Pujara and Suryakumar, Mavi said he did not think about the top-class batsmen but focused on bowling in good areas, which bore fruits for him.

“From the beginning, I focused on bowling in good areas. If we bowl in those areas, it is difficult for any batsman. It does not matter who is facing me. I bowled in good areas and had them,” he said.

Asked how difficult it is to captain a side as a pace bowler, Mavi said it is difficult to do the job in Indian conditions as he gets tired and has to think about the game.

But the conditions in Bengaluru are good because, as a bowler, he does not get tired, which helps him think about the game as the captain, he said, pointing to the pleasant overcast conditions on Day 1 of the match.

“I am enjoying my bowling here. It is very good. I have also played in England. The same weather is prevailing here too. So I am enjoying it,” he added.

(UNI)