Jofra Archer delivered a commanding performance for Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2025 clash against Punjab Kings, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs, which helped his team secure a convincing 50-run win. Archer was named Player of the Match for his clinical spell that dismantled Punjab’s middle order.

However, the post-match presentation took an awkward turn when former Indian cricketer Murali Kartik brought up Archer’s dual ties to Barbados and England, referencing a lighthearted exchange in the commentary box regarding his international allegiance. Archer, born in the West Indies but representing England in international cricket, responded diplomatically and refrained from engaging in the identity discussion.

The England pacer, who hails from Barbados, was put in a tight spot by presenter Murali Kartik, who relayed a cheeky conversation with Ian Bishop from the commentary box.

Murali Kartik: “Ian Bishop said, for everyone he (Archer) is a West Indian. I said, no, he’s been snapped up by England.”

Jofra Archer (smiling): “No comment.”

Kartik: “I expected that from you.”

The moment, though brief, quickly went viral across social media platforms, sparking renewed conversations about dual nationality and representation in modern cricket. While some fans continue to associate Archer with his Caribbean roots, his consistent performances for England have firmly established him as a key figure in their national setup.

Beyond the off-field chatter, Archer maintained his focus on cricket. He reflected on the effort it takes to perform consistently in the IPL and emphasized the importance of making the most of favorable conditions. His form has been a welcome boost for Rajasthan Royals, who moved up to seventh in the IPL 2025 points table with two wins from four matches.

Despite the identity question, Archer remained grounded. Speaking about his performance, he said he’s focused on training hard and staying consistent. “You enjoy the good ones and take the bad ones in your stride. Everyone is training just as hard as you,” he said after being named Player of the Match.

The encounter against Punjab Kings highlighted not only Archer’s bowling brilliance but also his composed handling of sensitive topics off the field — showing that he prefers to let his game do the talking.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer brought a delightful moment of levity to his press conference following the IPL 2025 match against the Mumbai Indians. In the midst of discussing the game, a journalist’s phone began to ring, and Langer, displaying his good-natured humor, answered it.

He covered the phone and quipped, “Who is Ma? Who’s Mum ringing? Do you want me to answer? Hello. Mama, it’s 12:08. I’m at a press conference.” This lighthearted interaction was captured in a video shared on IPL’s social media channels, quickly garnering smiles from fans and reporters alike.

Langer’s upbeat demeanor was fitting, as he had just witnessed his team pull off a thrilling 12-run victory. The Super Giants, buoyed by impressive fifties from Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, set a challenging target of 203/8. In response, the Mumbai Indians fought back valiantly but ultimately fell short, finishing at 191/5. The LSG bowlers demonstrated remarkable composure, particularly during crunch moments, to secure this much-needed win against a formidable opponent.

In addition to the game insights and his humorous phone call, Langer provided an encouraging update on fast bowler Mayank Yadav’s recovery. The coach confirmed that Yadav is making significant strides towards full fitness, estimating him to be at about 90-95% condition. Quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, Langer expressed optimism about Yadav’s progress, stating, “What I do know is he’s working very hard at the NCA, and I saw some video of him bowling yesterday [Thursday], and he was bowling at about 90 to 95%. So Mayank’s up and running, which is really great for Indian cricket and the IPL.”

He further underscored Yadav’s potential, noting, “We saw the impact he had last year. I don’t think there’s been a bowler in India who’s bowled faster than Mayank Yadav.” The excitement surrounding Yadav suggests that fans can look forward to his return and the explosive performances he brings to the game.

Overall, Langer’s combination of humour and optimism following the match not only entertained but also inspired confidence in LSG’s future prospects.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly reacted after a tense on-field moment involving Khushdil Shah during the third ODI against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui. The incident occurred after a group of Afghan-origin spectators allegedly hurled inappropriate and anti-Pakistan remarks, triggering a furious reaction from the cricketer.

Images and videos circulated online showed Khushdil Shah being restrained by security after charging toward a section of the crowd. The PCB later confirmed that Shah had intervened after hearing provocative chants and abusive language in Pashto.

“When anti-Pakistan slogans emerged, cricketer Khushdil Shah stepped in and urged the spectators to refrain. In response, the Afghan spectators escalated the situation,” the PCB said in an official statement.

Following the Pakistan team’s complaint, two Afghan-origin spectators were ejected from the ground.

Pakistan’s 43-run defeat in the third ODI not only resulted in a 0-3 series whitewash, but also marked the latest chapter in a string of spectator clashes involving Afghan fans. Past Pakistan vs Afghanistan encounters have often witnessed heated exchanges in the stands.

The PCB’s statement indirectly highlighted such precedents, including a controversial 2023 World Cup post-match comment by Afghan player Ibrahim Zadran, who used the stage to criticize Pakistan over deportation issues.

Meanwhile, the PCB also addressed concerns regarding Imam-ul-Haq, who retired hurt in the third over after being hit on the face by an accidental throw from a New Zealand fielder. A CT scan at Tauranga Hospital confirmed a mild concussion, but the opener was later declared fit to travel home with the squad.