When Jofra Archer finds his rhythm, few can match his impact in the IPL — and the Punjab Kings felt the full force of his brilliance as he ripped through their top order with a fiery opening spell. The Rajasthan Royals speedster not only struck early but also delivered a moment of magic to dismiss Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer with a cunning piece of bowling that left both the batter and the crowd stunned.
Iyer, coming into the game in fine touch, looked confident after Priyansh Arya was dismissed for a duck — Archer’s first scalp of the evening. The PBKS captain got going with two authoritative boundaries off Archer’s fuller deliveries, showing no signs of discomfort. But Archer wasn’t one to back down. Reading Iyer’s mindset, the English pacer shifted gears, peppering him with a short ball to test his well-documented weakness against the rising delivery.
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Sensing another bumper coming, Iyer stayed deep in the crease on the next ball, expecting more chin music. But Archer outfoxed him completely — hurling a full and straight missile that skidded through and clattered into the stumps. A classic case of fast bowling intelligence and execution, it was a crucial blow that turned the tide.
Archer on 🎯
Jofra Archer’s double timber-strike gives #RR a dream start 💥
Updates ▶ https://t.co/kjdEJydDWe#TATAIPL | #PBKSvRR | @JofraArcher | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/CfLjvlCC6L
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 5, 2025
Punjab Kings were chasing a steep target of 206 in front of their home fans, but early blows left them tottering at 33 for 3, with Marcus Stoinis also falling cheaply to Sandeep Sharma. The Royals’ bowlers, full of intent, kept the pressure tight, never letting the game slip.
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals posted a formidable 206 — the highest-ever total at this venue in IPL history. The innings was built on solid partnerships, beginning with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s return to form with a well-constructed fifty. Captain Sanju Samson played a handy knock, while Nitish Rana added a quick cameo. The death overs saw Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Dhruv Jurel explode, giving RR the late surge they needed.
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Punjab’s bowlers, who had been clinical in their earlier outings, couldn’t replicate their sharpness. Only Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson showed any semblance of control, but without wickets in the middle, they were always chasing the game. Now, with the highest successful chase at this venue yet to be achieved, PBKS need something extraordinary to keep their winning streak alive.
