Archer fires fine kicks at IPL over simple pitches: Back to normal in England
England fast bowler Jofra Archer has said bowling in English conditions feels like a return to “normal” after spending months adapting to the “easy wickets and smaller boundaries” in India, particularly during the IPL.
Archer said this after playing in England’s crushing 125-run win over India in the third T20I at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. The right-arm quick returned figures of 3 for 29 while Josh Tongue claimed 4 for 38 as India were bundled out for just 76 in 11.4 overs while chasing 202, their biggest defeat by runs in T20I history.
Asked if facing the Indian batsmen in England required a different approach after competing against many of them in the IPL, Archer said the conditions allowed the bowlers more room for error.
“I think it’s getting back to normal here,” Archer said in the postgame press conference.
“You try to bowl the ball straight to a good length. Whereas over there, because the wickets are so easy and the boundaries are so small, you have to be really, really specific. Here I feel like you have a bit more margin for error.”
200 IS NOT ALWAYS SAFE IN IPL
Archer also highlighted the contrast between England’s conditions and the IPL, saying that England’s total of 201 was always going to be difficult to chase down at Trent Bridge.
“Sometimes 200 is not safe in the IPL. With 200 on the board on that wicket, I don’t want to say we were safe but I felt it would take a really special innings to catch up,” he said.
“I’m glad everyone pitched in. Everyone who bowled got wickets today so it was a complete bowling performance.”
India’s struggles have continued since arriving in the UK. After Shreyas Iyer’s young side lost the T20I series against Ireland, England now lead 2-0 in the five-match series after losing the opening match.
IND vs ENG, 3rd T20I: Highlights
Archer and the towering Josh Tongue again led England’s pace attack, regularly exceeding 144km/h and taking advantage of the extra bounce on offer. Together they claimed seven wickets to break through the Indian batting order.
But Archer insisted it was discipline rather than fast pace that made the difference.
“No, not really. I think we both played very well in Manchester. Neither of us got the goals to show for it there, so we’re just happy to get something today.”
“I don’t think it was that fast to be honest. It might have been a bit faster, but there was a strong wind so I honestly couldn’t feel it off my hand.”
ARCHER VS SOORYAVANSHI NOW LEVEL
One of the talking points of the series was Archer’s fight with his Rajasthan Royals teammate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The 15-year-old made his mark by smashing Archer for a sixth first ball on his T20I debut in Manchester. But Archer responded at Trent Bridge, dismissing the teenager with a blistering 145km/h after Sooryavanshi made 13.
When asked about the growing rivalry, Archer joked that the honors are now even.
“Well yeah, I guess it is now. But we’ve got two more games left and it could go either way, so let the best man win.”
Archer also praised opener Phil Salt, whose 44-ball 70 provided the platform for England’s formidable total.
“I think that 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 drop because at one point he was five out of nine.”
“The flow probably would have come in the next couple of balls anyway so I’m really glad he stuck with it. Sometimes you don’t hit every ball from the start. I’m glad he spent some time in the middle and hopefully he can carry that into the rest of the series.”
The fourth T20I will be played in Bristol on Thursday, while the fifth and final match is scheduled for Saturday in Southampton.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
08 Jul 2026 12:56 IST