Jofra Archer took three wickets to help Rajasthan Royals beat Punjab Kings by 50 runs and secure a second successive victory in the Indian Premier League.
Defending 206, England international Archer bowled Punjab opener Priyansh Arya with the first ball of the chase – a fine delivery that hit the top of the left-hander’s off stump.
Archer was then hit for two fours by in-form Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer but bowled the India international as he stepped to leg and tried to thrash the last ball of the opening over.
With the win secured and 56 runs still needed, Archer returned to bowl the last and took his third wicket by having Arshdeep Singh caught at extra cover.
The 30-year-old’s final figures – 3-25 from four overs – represent his best return in this year’s IPL and he was named player of the match.
He was hit for 0-76 in the Royals’ opening match, the worst figures in IPL history, and followed with 0-33 in a defeat by Kolkata Knight Riders.
But 1-13 from three overs against Chennai Super Kings, including a wicket maiden with the opening over, showed promise – and he backed up that success against Punjab, hitting 94mph at one stage.
“The beginning of the tournament, games like that happen,” Archer said. “Most importantly I am happy to contribute to a team win.
“You have to understand you will be lucky in some circumstances and other times a batter may get ahead of you. Everyone puts in the hard yards.
“Every day is not going to be a great day but with the good days you have to enjoy them.”
Archer was named the IPL’s Most Valuable Player in 2020 but that was before his series of back and elbow injuries which have dogged his recent career.
Capitals beat CSK; Fleming has “no idea” if Dhoni is retiring
Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming says he has “no idea” if veteran captain MS Dhoni is set to retire but says the 43-year-old is “still going strong”.
Iconic former India and CSK skipper Dhoni, who famously led his country to the World Cup title in 2011, is playing his 18th Indian Premier League season but in a bit-part role.
His parents were attendance as he played in Saturday’s 25-run defeat by Delhi Capitals, leading to online speculation the wicketkeeper could retire.
“I’m just enjoying working with him still,” New Zealander Fleming said.
“He’s still going strong. I don’t even ask these days.”
Dhoni retired from India duty in 2020, having played 90 Tests, 350 one-day internationals and 98 T20s.
He hit the winning runs in India’s 2011 victory at home and also led his side to wins in the 2007 T20 world title and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Since then he has continued to play for CSK in the IPL and led them to the title for a fifth time in 2023.
Chennai’s home defeat by Delhi was their third in four matches this season, however Dhoni ended 30 not out from 26 balls in their chase of 184 as his side ended well short on 158-5.
Once one of the game’s great finishers, Dhoni came in at number seven – two places higher than he batted earlier in the tournament in defeat by Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
After that match, Fleming said he “can’t bat 10 overs” because “his knees aren’t what they used to be”. (BBC)
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