Rajasthan Royals (RR) seamer Jofra Archer had a dream Indian Premier League (IPL) debut as he brought his team to the winning ways restricting Mumbai Indians to a modest target.
The host, Royals banked on Krishnappa Gowtham’s last-over heroics, as he struck ten runs to give his team the much-needed win.
Gowtham played a magical knock of 33 runs off just 11 deliveries with the help of four boundaries and two sixes to take his team home.
Moreover, Sanju Samson (52) and Ben Stokes (40) also provided good support to take the team closer to the target.
However, previously, Mumbai batting first, posted 167 runs on the board with Surya Kumar Yadav (72) and Ishan Kishan (58) scoring the bulk of the runs.
Debutant Jofra Archer was stunning with the ball, as he bagged three for 22 in his four overs. Moreover, he bowled with great pace and zeal to keep the Royals in contention. Archer also showed a lot of variations and can be a trump card for the RR side.
The right-arm pacer removed Krunal Pandya to register his maiden IPL wicket. He then clipped of Hardik Pandya’s stump in the same over to halt Mumbai’s free run flow.
He also delivered a thunderbolt of 149.2 kmhr to shatter Mitchell McClenaghan’s stumps in the very next ball. Archer was on a hattrick, however, Mayank Markande negotiated the last-delivery of his spell to deny the hat-trick.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Archer’s spell:
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. ???#MIvsRR
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 22, 2018
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
Iam certainly impressed #JofraArcher…. easy going, talented Caribbean youngster, the game needs characters????…he is going to be key for @rajasthanroyals #IPL2018
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 22, 2018
Man of the Match on IPL debut. Archer hits the bullseye #VivoIPL
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) April 22, 2018
#JofraArcher – I'm your fan mate. Express pace, good variations, jolly attitude.. His action is being compared to the legend Michael Holding's.. He adds so much character to the game. #RR's new trump card and a grt debut.. #RRvMI
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) April 22, 2018
A few weeks out injured still doesn’t affect @craig_arch … This kid is the real deal … #IPL2018
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) 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 was on a hattrick in the first innings. Now, it’s Bumrah. Game turned on its head. #RRvMI #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 22, 2018
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