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England national cricket team’s leading fast bowler Joffra Archer has opened up about his rivalry with Indian national cricket team’s young batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
Jofra Archer said that as far as the fight is concerned, things are currently on equal footing between him and Vaibhav Suryavanshi and expressed his excitement over their next two matches in the ongoing five-match T20 series between India and England. Meanwhile, the Indian politician has urged Vaibhav Suryavanshi and India’s young players to learn from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli.
Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue surprised India in the third T20 match.
England’s pace attack proved too strong for India’s young batting line-up as Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue shared seven wickets each to seal a crushing 125-run win in the third T20I at Trent Bridge. Chasing a daunting target of 202, India never recovered after losing wickets at regular intervals, eventually being bowled out for just 76 runs in 11.4 overs – their lowest T20I score against England and their biggest defeat by runs in T20I history.
Tongue dealt the first blow by dismissing Abhishek Sharma for 10 and mis-slashing a 145 kmph short ball to deep point. Archer then removed 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose hook attempt against the 145 kmph fast bouncer only managed to take a narrow slip past Jos Buttler. India slipped further when Tong dismissed Ishan Kishan, who pulled another short delivery straight to deep backward square, leaving the visitors struggling at 41/3.
Archer struck twice in the same over to ensure that India had no way of making a comeback. Shreyas Iyer mistimed a leg-side half-volley to deep backward square before Axar Patel, after hitting a four and a six, edged past a 146 kmph short ball to reduce India to 52/5 inside the powerplay. With Archer consistently bowling above 145 kmph and taking sharp bounce off the tongue, the Indian batsmen had little room to settle.
The tongue returned to finish the job in force. Shivam Dubey was caught behind attempting a back-of-the-length delivery, and Harshit Rana became his fourth victim after hitting a cut shot to backward point. Archer took 3 wickets for 29 runs in three overs, while Tanguay took 4 wickets for 28 runs in four overs. His relentless pace, bounce and accuracy completely demolished India’s batting line-up, setting up one of England’s most impressive T20I wins over the Men in Blue.
I think we bowled very well in Manchester – Jofra Archer
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Jofra Archer said that he enjoyed bowling with Josh Tongue against the Indian batsmen. He said:
“Yes, we (me and Josh Tongue) have a lot of fun whenever we bowl. Sometimes it doesn’t always go according to the wickets column, but I enjoy bowling with him.
“No, not really. I think that’s just how everything happened today. I think we bowled very well in Manchester. Neither of us really got wickets to show for it, so we’re glad we got something to do.”
Sharing his views on the proposal for a third T20I on the surface, Jofra Archer said:
“To be honest, I don’t think it was that fast. I think it might have been a little two-speed, but there was a strong wind. To be honest, I didn’t really feel it, but I changed hands anyway.”
Yes, I think it still is – Jofra Archer on fight with Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Vaibhav Suryavanshi registered his first six in international cricket by hitting a brilliant six off Jofra Archer in the second T20 match. However, in the third T20I, the pacer dominated the teenage batting sensation.
At the press conference, Jofra Archer was asked how he was enjoying bowling to his IPL teammate Suryavanshi. He replied:
“Yeah, I think it still is, but we’ve still got three or two games left and it could go anywhere. The best man may win.”
Archer also made it clear that attacking Vaibhav Suryavanshi with bouncers was not the only plan for the 15-year-old, and he attempted to do the same against all the Indian batsmen. He said:
“No, to be honest, everyone bowls bouncers. Sometimes you have to maintain your composure. We maintained it for a long time today and it paid off.”