Jofra Archer & Chris Jordan help set up comfortable win for England

Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan helped set up a comfortable eight-wicket win for England in the third IT20 of their five-match series against India at Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Both were superb with the ball in the first half of India’s innings, before Virat Kohli dented their figures somewhat. Jofra finished with none for 32 from his four overs, with CJ picking up 2 for 35 from his allocation.

In a brilliant two-over new ball spell, Jofra conceded just nine runs as his pace proved to much to handle for India’s top order.

CJ was introduced in the sixth over, bouncing out Ishan Kishan via the gloves of Jos Buttler with his second ball. That led to a wicket maiden which completed a fantastic powerplay for England in which India limped to 24 for 3.

CJ was back for another solitary over – the 11th– and conceded just six runs as India continued to struggle.

Kohli shifted the momentum at the back of the innings, however, on his way to 77 not out from only 46 balls. After cautiously making his way to 29 off 28 deliveries, his onslaught began when Jofra returned in the 16th over, which cost 13 runs, and continued until the close of the innings.

CJ was hit for two boundaries by the Indian captain in the next over, which cost 14, before Jofra went for eleven in the 19th. It was down to CJ to bowl the final over of the innings, which went for 14, but included the wicket of Hardik Pandya from the final ball. That dismissal was an all-Sussex affair with Jofra taking a fine overhead diving catch running back towards the boundary from mid-off. 

What a catch, @JofraArcher! 👏@CJordan finishes with 2-35 and England will require 157 for victory! 🎯 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/qJAnIz8NZ0

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) March 16, 2021

India finished with 156 for 6, with only Kohli’s effort ensuring the home side had a semi-respectable score to bowl at.

That effort was overshadowed, however, by a sublime knock from Jos Buttler. The opener pumped an unbeaten 83 off 52 balls as England reached their target with 10 balls to spare. Jonny Bairstow was 40 not out from 28 balls at the other end.

England take a 2-1 lead in the series, the fourth match of which takes place at the same venue of Thursday.