England fast bowler Jofra Archer has opened up about a fiery moment during the dramatic final day of the third Test match at Lord’s, where he bowled a brilliant delivery to dismiss India’s Rishabh Pant. Archer not only claimed the crucial wicket but also shared the intense words he exchanged with the Indian vice-captain during the heat of the moment.
England Clinch a Thrilling Win at Lord’s
In a tense chase of 193 runs, India were bowled out for 170, handing England a 22-run victory and a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series. Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s fighting 61 not out*, India couldn’t hold off the relentless English attack. KL Rahul scored 39, while captain Shubman Gill fell early for just 6.
Both Jofra Archer and England skipper Ben Stokes played a pivotal role in the win, each taking three wickets on the final day to dismantle India’s batting lineup.
The Archer vs. Pant Battle
The defining moment of the match came in the 21st over of India’s innings. Rishabh Pant, known for his aggressive stroke play, was looking settled and confident. He even smashed Archer for a stylish one-handed boundary, showcasing his trademark flair.
But Archer had other plans.
Just two balls later, Archer made a subtle adjustment in his line and angle. He delivered a brilliant ball that clipped the top of the off stump, completely outfoxing Pant, who stood in disbelief as the bails flew. It was a textbook fast bowler’s dismissal.
Archer’s Angry Send-Off: What Was Said?
As soon as the wicket fell, Archer sprinted past Pant and gave him a fiery send-off. He appeared to shout something directly at the Indian batter, which caught the attention of fans and commentators.
Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket after the match, Archer addressed the moment:
“It wasn’t my proudest moment,” he admitted.
“But I told him, ‘I asked you to charge.’”
Archer explained that earlier in the session, he was struggling with his rhythm and wasn’t getting the ball to swing as he wanted. Pant’s aggressive shot only added to the pressure. But once Archer found his groove and bowled Pant out, he let his emotions take over.
“To be honest, I was battling a bit at the start of the session. The ball wasn’t quite coming out the way I wanted. Pant hit me for a shot, and when I got him out, I just went up to him and said, ‘I told you to charge.’”
Emotions Run High in Test Cricket
While Archer acknowledged the send-off wasn’t the classiest move, his honesty revealed the intensity of Test match cricket, especially in a closely contested series like this. Passion, pressure, and pride often fuel such outbursts, especially when the stakes are high.
Final Words
With England now leading the series 2-1, both teams will be looking to regroup for the next showdown. Archer’s form and fiery spirit could prove vital as the series progresses, while India will aim to bounce back with stronger top-order resistance.
