On this day, India won the T20I World Cup after a 17-year wait. The match against South Africa in Bridgetown was filled with thrills in every fold. There was a point in the match where Aiden Markram's team was looking solid to win the silverware. But India, with multiple game changers in the playing XI, did not want to wait any longer to claim the prestigious title. Suryakumar Yadav's stunning catch, perhaps the catch of the tournament, stalled the result between two sides. India, captained by Rohit Sharma, became the champion of the 2024 ICC T20I World Cup. 

In the first innings, India was in deep trouble when a rampant Keshav Maharaj took the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant in 3 balls, and Kagiso Rabada departed Suryakumar Yadav after a few deliveries. When the stage is big and matters are looking complicated, it's the perfect scenario for Virat Kohli to shine. Kohli scored 76 runs off 59 deliveries. In the later part of the innings, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube played 47- and 27-run innings, respectively, to take their team to 176 runs. 

A team with fiery batters like Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen could easily achieve the total, but Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh had their inch-perfect plans to create a castle to defend the fighting total. Pandya was on a different level on that day. The all-rounder took 3 wickets in 3 overs.

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Virat's batting and Pandya's bowling cherished crores of dream

Klaasen (52) and Miller (21) were among the dangerous batters who lost their wickets against Pandya. The moment when Klaasen was looking to shift the gears, Pandya struck. India won the match by only a 7-run margin. 

After the game, Captain Rohit Sharma heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his unforgettable contributions throughout the series. "No one was in doubt about the form of Virat, on top of his game for the last 15 years. Come the occasion, big players stand up. It is crucial to hold that end for the others to play around him. Team effort because it wasn't a wicket to bat freely. He did that perfectly; that experience all the years come together, and Axar's batting was crucial," Rohit said. 

Jofra Archer‘s presence in England’s T20I series against Pakistan next month holds significant weight not just for the series itself but also as a litmus test for his readiness for the T20 World Cup in June.

Jofra Archer’s return to competitive cricket after 11 months of hiatus due to a recurring right elbow injury has been eagerly anticipated. At 29, Archer’s journey back to form is crucial for England’s aspirations, especially with the impending T20 World Cup.

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Archer’s Current Status and Injury History

Archer is currently in Barbados, preparing to play club cricket. This move comes after a series of setbacks, including a back stress fracture, which has plagued his career since 2021.

England’s managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, has been instrumental in overseeing Archer’s rehabilitation. Key’s decision to withdraw Archer from the IPL reflects a cautious approach aimed at ensuring Archer’s long-term fitness and effectiveness.

Expectations for Archer in the T20 World Cup

Despite limited appearances for England recently, Archer’s inclusion in the squad speaks volumes about the team’s belief in his ability to regain his form and prowess on the field.

Archer’s potential inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad hinges on his performance in the upcoming series against Pakistan. Key’s optimism about Archer’s progress underscores the importance of his role in England’s campaign.

Rob Key told Sky Sports News, “He’s now just gone back in the Caribbean, where he is going to play a little bit of club cricket, stuff like that – all about getting himself ready for that World T20. He’ll play hopefully the Pakistan series. But it’s always fingers crossed at the moment with Jofra.”

While Archer’s immediate focus is on white-ball cricket, England has outlined plans for his return to Test cricket in 2025. His ability to consistently bowl above 90mph makes him a valuable asset for England’s Test team. England’s strategy revolves around a gradual approach to Archer’s return, prioritizing his long-term fitness and effectiveness across all formats of the game.

Managing Workload

Archer’s return could potentially bolster England’s squad, providing them with a much-needed pace attack in crucial matches. Archer’s participation in club cricket in Barbados and his recent stint with Sussex’s pre-season buildup in India signify his commitment to regaining match fitness.

Rob Key explained further, “What we’re going to do is take it slower than trying to go too quickly so that we get him back for not just a short period, we get him back for a long period. And the whole plan with Jofra is he’s going to play white-ball cricket for this summer and going into the winter. Then hopefully next summer, when we play India, then into the Ashes, we get him back for Test cricket. It’s a slow process just to get him back for all forms.”

Archer’s involvement in club cricket underscores the importance of grassroots-level cricket in honing skills and maintaining match fitness. England’s cautious approach includes managing Archer’s workload effectively to prevent further injuries and ensure his availability for key fixtures. The focus on Archer’s return to Test cricket highlights England’s long-term vision for his inclusion in the team.