Jofra Archer Channels Ganguly’s Iconic Lord’s Moment in Match-Winning Spell

Archer Channels Ganguly’s Iconic Lord’s Moment to Spark Match-Winning Spell England seal 22-run victory over India as Archer’s inspired burst turns the tide

Jofra Archer delivered a game-changing spell at Lord’s to help England defeat India by 22 runs in the third Test — and, unexpectedly, it was a memory of Sourav Ganguly’s iconic shirt-waving celebration that lit the fire. England captain Ben Stokes revealed after the match that he had reminded Archer of Ganguly’s unforgettable moment from the 2002 NatWest Trophy final — hoping to inject a bit of emotion into the fast bowler’s mindset ahead of Day 5.

“I asked him this morning, ‘You know what today is, don’t you?’” Stokes said. “He thought I meant the World Cup final we won. But I was talking about that India chase and Ganguly’s celebration at Lord’s. He’s brilliant like that.”

Archer responded with a searing morning burst, dismissing Rishabh Pant with a delivery that pitched on a length and straightened, then snaring Washington Sundar off his own bowling. Those two key wickets turned the match England’s way after a tense Indian fightback.

“It felt right in my gut that Jof was going to do something,” Stokes said. “And those wickets swung the game massively.” Stokes, who bowled 19.2 overs across both innings despite still returning to full fitness, was named Player of the Match. He reflected on the physical and mental toll of captaining in a close fourth-innings chase.

“I’ve bowled in these situations before, but captaining adds another layer. You’re constantly thinking — bowling changes, field placements, how to win the game. The mental fatigue hits you just as hard.”

The Test also fell on the anniversary of England’s 2019 World Cup win, adding further significance to the day. Yet for Archer, it was a 2002 memory — Ganguly baring his emotions on the Lord’s balcony — that provided the spark. With the series now level, both teams head to Manchester for the fourth Test starting 23 July, and England will take comfort in knowing their instincts — and inspirations — still deliver.