Ben Stokes uses Sourav Ganguly’s iconic 2002 moment to spark Jofra Archer storm at Lord's

Published - 15 Jul 2025, 02:25 PM | Updated - 15 Jul 2025, 02:29 PM

Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes and Sourav Ganguly
Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes and Sourav Ganguly. Image Credit: X

England pacer Jofra Archer stunned India at Lord’s by delivering a fiery spell, and it was all inspired by none other than Sourav Ganguly’s legendary shirt-waving moment from 2002. As England thrashed India by just 22 runs in the third Test, Ben Stokes revealed the bizarre yet brilliant spark behind Jofra Archer’s Day 5 heroics at Lord’s.

The Barbados-born English fast bowler, who was playing his first Test in four years, was fired up by memories of Sourav Ganguly’s iconic celebration after India’s historic NatWest Trophy win at the same ground—Lord’s Cricket Ground—in 2002.

Ben Stokes reveals Sourav Ganguly’s balcony flashback ignites Jofra Archer’s Lord’s magic

Stokes reminded Archer by saying, “You know what day today is, don’t you?” before the start of Day 5 at Lord’s, hoping to fire the bowler up against India. But the fast bowler believed it was the anniversary of England’s World Cup victory at Lord’s.

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Later, the England captain tried to remind Jofra of Sourav Ganguly's famous shirt-swinging display on the Lord's balcony after India’s NatWest Trophy win in London by saying, “You know that highlight package of India knocking off 300-odd back in the day with Ganguly?”

That fiery reminder lit a fire under the England pacer, who then unleashed a brutal burst with the ball that dismantled India’s fightback. He removed the dangerous Rishabh Pant with a beauty, then grabbed a sharp return catch to send Washington Sundar packing.

Ben Stokes reveals how he revived Sourav Ganguly’s shirt-wave memory for Jofra Archer

Archer finished with three wickets in the second innings and five in the third test to make a remarkable comeback to Test cricket.

Ben Stokes said at the post-match press conference at Lord’s, “I just said to him this morning, ‘You know what today is, don’t you?’” So, he told me. 'You know that highlight package of India knocking off 300-odd back in the day with Ganguly (waving shirt).'

He (Archer) thought that was the World Cup final. He thought that was six years today. Archer was seeing highlights of Ganguly waving a shirt. He thought that was the World Cup final. I told him no, we won the World Cup final. And he said, ‘Oh, that one.’ Absolute beauty, that boy.”

Read Also: 'When you’re seeing 11 guys all come at your openers...': Ben Stokes justifies England’s ugly sledging at Lord’s

"Ben Stokes had that gut feeling"

England revealed that he had a “gut feeling” about opening Day 5 with Archer. Stokes signed off by saying, “Had that gut feeling. That’s why I opened the bowling with Jofra Archer, and he swung the game for us.”

Notably, July 14 marked six years of England’s thrilling 2019 World Cup win over New Zealand, and the team celebrated in style with a thrilling win over India at Lord’s. Stokes and Archer led the charge, taking three wickets each. Chris Woakes took two wickets, while Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir chipped in with one wicket each on the final day.

Chasing 192 runs for victory, India was bowled out for just 170, falling short by 22 runs in the third Test at Lord’s. With this win, England now leads the five-match Test series 2-1. The fourth test is set to be played at Old Trafford in Manchester from July 23.

Rashmi Wasnik

Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ... Read more

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