IPL 2018: BBL sensation Jofra Archer shines on RR debut, Twitterati full of praise
Jaipur: Krishnappa Gowtham produced a blinder of a knock after Sanju Samson and Ben Stokes smartly negotiated a slow track as Rajasthan Royals (RR) pulled off a nail-biting three-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match, here tonight.
But while the Karnataka all-rounder grabbed all the limelight, the performance of Jofra Archer on his IPL debut also created a lot of buzz on social media.
Batting first, the defending champions looked set for a big total but the Barbados-born bowler troubled the Mumbai batsmen with good pace.
He got rid of Pandya brothers -- Krunal (7) and Hardik (4) -- and Mitchell McClenaghan (0) in the penultimate over, denying the visitors a flourishing finish.
The 23-year-old conceded just 23 runs in his four-over quota that saw the opposition finish at a modest 167-7.
Not only did he rattle the MI lower order but also bowled the second fastest ball in the ongoing IPL with a speed of 149.8 kmph. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Bill Stanlake tops the list as he was clocked with a speed of 151.3.
The young English cricketer could not contribute much with the bat in the second innings but his heroics with the ball garnered a lot of praise for Twitterati.
First 14 overs, 129/1 , last 6 overs 38/6. Brilliant comeback by @rajasthanroyals to pull things back. Jofra Archer made his presence felt in style. Very good debut. #RRvMI
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 22, 2018
Jofra Archer came into the auction with a growing reputation. We now know why.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 22, 2018
Couple of yorkers from the 90s in that over from Jofra Archer. ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘#MIvsRR
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 22, 2018
Seems like @rajasthanroyals have hit bulls eye with archer.. Stinging pace, knuckle ball, variations .. Welcome to the #VIVOIPL @craig_arch #RRvMI
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) April 22, 2018
Jofra the archer...Hit the target right !!!
— Pure Taurean (@Hims_) April 22, 2018
Can't Able to Figure Out,How Player like Jofra Archer Was Sitting on Benches for Last Few Matches??? #RRvMI
— abhi silswal (@AbhiSilswal707) April 22, 2018
Cancelled an Ola Cab booking today because driver’s name was Jofra Archer as I got scared since he may speed more than 150
— whistle podu (@username_needed) April 22, 2018
#RRvMI
Wow @craig_arch you beauty
— sunil bishnoi (@msunilbishnoi) April 22, 2018
Cha gye guru #jofraarcher
Jeffery Archer - Honour among thieves
— डatyaम-MatureKid 🙃 (@Movie_istic) April 22, 2018
Jofra Archer - Fast yorkers in his sleeves #RRvMI
Iam certainly impressed #JofraArcher.... easy going, talented Caribbean youngster, the game needs characters😃ðŸðŸ‘ðŸ¼...he is going to be key for @rajasthanroyals #IPL2018
— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 22, 2018
The pitch was not conducive for stroke-making but Samson (52) and Stokes (40 off 27) added 72 runs for the third wicket to push their side close to the finish line and the hosts eventually crossed it with two balls to spare.
Gowtham conjured up an unbeaten 11-ball 33-run knock under pressure, hitting two sixes and four fours to seal a thrilling win for his side.
It was not a big target on board as the hosts chased 168 but the wicket had slowed down considerably and required a lot of patience to score runs.
Samson was in control of his innings but Jasprit Bumrah (2/28) dismissed him and Jos Buttler in successive balls in the 17th over to raise his side's hopes.
When Samson got out, Royals required 43 runs from 22 balls.
It became 28 from 12 after Gowtham found a six and a four off Mustafizur Rehman.
The Karnataka batsman in the company of Jofra Archer found scored 18 runs from Bumrah's next over and needed 10 from the last for a thrilling win.
Hardik Pandya was given the ball and removed Archer in the first ball but Gowtham steered the next ball for a four in the third-man region and finished off the match in the fourth ball with a gigantic six.
