Jofra Archer's Performance Inspired by Sourav Ganguly's Iconic Moment

In a thrilling encounter at Lord's, Jofra Archer made a stunning return to Test cricket, inspired by Sourav Ganguly's legendary jersey-waving moment. England's captain Ben Stokes humorously recounted how Archer drew motivation from this iconic scene during the match. Archer's exceptional bowling performance played a pivotal role in England's narrow 22-run victory over India. As the match unfolded, India fought valiantly, but Archer's skill proved decisive. This article delves into the highlights of the match and the significance of July 14 in English cricket history.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 15, 2025, 04:12 IST

Archer's Memorable Comeback

On July 15, in London, England's Test captain Ben Stokes shared a humorous anecdote about Jofra Archer, who drew inspiration from a legendary moment involving former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. Archer, making his first Test appearance since February 2021, played a crucial role in England's thrilling 22-run victory over India in the third Test at Lord's.

Archer's explosive bowling performance quickly dismantled India's hopes, as he struck Rishabh Pant's off-stump with a blistering delivery right at the start of the day. Pant was unable to handle the pace of Archer's delivery, which set the tone for the match.

Continuing his impressive form, Archer also caught Washington Sundar off guard, resulting in a duck for the Indian batsman. He concluded the second innings with impressive figures of 3/55, helping England overcome the resilient efforts of Ravindra Jadeja and India's lower order.

During a post-match press conference, Stokes was asked about Archer's outstanding performance and lightheartedly mentioned that Archer had watched highlights of Ganguly's famous jersey-waving moment from 23 years ago. This iconic scene took place on the balcony of Lord's after India's remarkable victory in the NatWest final against England in 2002.

Stokes recounted, “I told him this morning, ‘You know what today is, right?’ referring to the highlight reel of when India chased down 300 runs. Ganguly treated that match like a World Cup final. He thought it was six years ago. I had to clarify that it was the World Cup we won. He’s a real character, that boy,” Stokes remarked.

The date July 14 is particularly significant for English cricket, as it marks the anniversary of England winning their first ODI World Cup title at Lord's in 2019. Fast forward six years, and England celebrated another hard-fought victory after five days of intense competition.

On the final day of the Test, England needed six wickets to secure the win, while India was 135 runs away from chasing a target of 193. Archer and Stokes worked in tandem to reduce India from 58/4 to 82/7.

Despite the challenging situation, Ravindra Jadeja (61*) showcased his skill and kept India's hopes alive by forming a crucial partnership with Jasprit Bumrah. The duo resisted England's attack for 22 overs until Bumrah was dismissed by Sam Cook. Mohammed Siraj fought valiantly with his batting before heartbreak struck as he was bowled by Bashir.