Jofra Archer credited Rajasthan Royals’ disciplined bowling after their IPL 2026 Eliminator win over Sunrisers Hyderabad and praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive 97 off 29 balls that powered RR into Qualifier 2.
The wicketkeeper-batter struck a fluent 89 off 42 balls to propel India to a formidable 253/7 in a game where nearly 500 runs were scored across both innings.
Asked to bat on a placid surface at the Wankhede Stadium, Samson picked up from where he had left off at Eden Gardens and led the batting onslaught before the Indian middle order — Ishan Kishan (39 off 18), Shivam Dube (43 off 25), Hardik Pandya (27 off 12) and Tilak Varma (21 off 7) — joined a six-hitting spree to propel India to 253/7.
Earlier, England opted to bowl on a juicy surface, and Jofra Archer had an instant effect in the second over of his spell, taking two early wickets in the powerplay -- George Munsey (4) and Brandon McMullen (0).
Left-handed batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell has been drafted into the side and will slot in at No.3, while fast bowler Gus Atkinson returns after missing the previous Test.
“It's great to have the X-factor that Joff and Woody possess in terms of pace,” Stokes said in Perth on Wednesday.
The right-arm quick claimed five wickets, including a fiery spell in the first session of the final day to guide England to a 22-run victory and help the hosts go 2-1 up in the five-match series.
Playing in his first Test since 2021, Archer showed no signs of the numerous injuries that have hampered him, claiming combined match figures of 5/105 through a mix of hostility, intimidation, and tactical nous.
The five-Test series between India and England is delicately balanced at 1-1, but the potentially series-defining third match, starting Thursday at the iconic Lord’s brings with it an added layer of intrigue with the return of two of modern cricket’s most lethal fast bowlers — Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer.
England’s premier quick Mark Wood expressed his excitement at the prospect of bowling alongside Jofra Archer in the upcoming Ashes series but stressed that both must prove their fitness and form before securing a place in the Test XI.
