England fast bowler Jofra Archer believes bowling in home conditions gives pacers a bigger margin for error compared to the batting-friendly pitches used in India, especially during the Indian Premier League (IPL). His comments came after England crushed India by 125 runs in the third T20I at Trent Bridge, handing the visitors their biggest defeat by runs in T20I history.
England posted 201/7 before their pace attack ripped through India’s batting lineup. Josh Tongue starred with 4/38, while Archer picked up 3/29 as India were bowled out for just 76 in 11.4 overs.
Jofra Archer takes a subtle dig at IPL pitches
The defeat also extended India’s poor run under new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer. Since taking over from Suryakumar Yadav after India’s T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year, the team is still searching for its first victory in the format.
Speaking after the match, Archer said English conditions allow bowlers to stick to basic plans, unlike in the IPL, where batters enjoy flatter pitches and shorter boundaries.
“I think it goes back to normal here,” Archer said at the post-match press conference.
“You try to bowl the ball straight on a good length. Whereas over there, because the wickets are so easy and the boundaries are so small, you have to be really, really particular. Here, I feel your margin for error is a little bit bigger.”
Archer also felt England’s total was always going to be difficult to chase despite the growing trend of high-scoring games in franchise cricket.
“At the IPL, sometimes 200 isn’t safe. With 200 on the board on that wicket, I don’t want to say we were confident, but I felt it would have taken a really special innings to chase it down. I’m just glad everybody chipped in. Everybody who bowled got wickets today, so it was a complete bowling performance.”
India’s batting has struggled throughout the tour of the United Kingdom. After losing the T20I series against Ireland, the visitors now trail England 0-2 in the five-match series after the opening match ended without a result.
Archer and Josh Tongue once again formed a dangerous pace combination. Both bowlers regularly crossed the 144 kmph mark and used the extra bounce available at Trent Bridge to trouble the Indian batters.
However, Archer refused to credit the victory solely to their pace. He said disciplined bowling made the biggest difference.
“No, not really. I think we both bowled pretty well in Manchester. Neither of us really got the wickets to show for it there, so we’re just glad we got something today.”
“I don’t think it was that pacey, to be honest. It may have been a little quicker, but there was a strong wind, so honestly, I didn’t really feel that out of the hand.”
Another talking point from the series has been Archer’s battle with his Rajasthan Royals teammate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old had announced himself by hitting Archer for a first-ball six on his T20I debut in Manchester.
This time, Archer responded in style. He dismissed the young opener with a sharp 145 kmph delivery that climbed awkwardly and ended Sooryavanshi’s innings on 13.
When asked about the contest, Archer laughed and said the rivalry is evenly balanced for now.
“Well yeah, I think it’s even now. But we’ve got another two games left, and it could go either way, so may the best man win.”
Archer also praised opener Phil Salt, whose fluent 70 from 44 balls laid the foundation for England’s commanding total. He admired Salt’s patience after a slow start and backed him to continue his form in the remaining matches.
“I guess it was really important. Obviously, knowing Phil as well, he would have liked to get going from the start. I’m really glad he didn’t throw his hand away because at one point he was five off nine.”
“The flow probably would have come in the next few balls anyway, so I’m really glad he stuck at it. Sometimes you’re not going to hit every ball from the start. I’m glad he spent some time in the middle and hopefully he can carry that through the rest of the series.”
England also went on to seal the series with a nine-wicket win in the fourth T20I in Bristol on Thursday. India are looking to win their first match in the T20I series. The fifth and final T20I will begin in Southampton on Saturday.
