Rajasthan Royals’ pacer Jofra Archer stunned Punjab Kings with a sensational opening spell in Mullanpur, claiming a wicket on the very first ball of the innings.
His early breakthroughs helped RR register a comprehensive 50-run win in their IPL 2025 clash on Saturday.
First-Ball Breakthrough Sets The Tone
Speaking to teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal in a post-match interview shared on IPLT20.com, Archer revealed his surprise at getting a wicket with the opening delivery.
“I didn’t expect it to get a wicket on the first ball,” he said. “But I’m happy I could set the tone. It brought energy to everyone on the field.”
Archer’s 145 kmph+ thunderbolts rattled PBKS, with Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer falling to him in the first over.
He later returned to dismiss Arshdeep Singh, ending with an impressive 3-25.
Redemption After Tough Start
Archer’s performance marked a strong comeback after underwhelming outings against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, where he went wicketless.
He showed signs of rhythm in the match against Chennai Super Kings, giving away only 13 runs in his spell, but Saturday’s clash against PBKS saw him return to peak form.
“Well, I thought that if I can give the guys a good start, the bowler from the other end would take it up and keep the pressure on,” Archer added, emphasizing his team-first mindset.
Strategic Execution: The Arshdeep Bluff
Jaiswal, who struck a crucial 67 off 45 balls, asked Archer about the final dismissal of Arshdeep.
Archer revealed that he initially planned a bouncer but decided to bowl at the stumps instead, considering the batter’s position. “He bats away slightly, so I was like, just bowl at the stumps,” said Archer.
The ball turned out to be a deceptive half-volley that cleaned up Arshdeep, wrapping up PBKS’s innings in style.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had been searching for form, played a pivotal role in helping RR cross the 200-run mark.
“It was important for me to climb another mountain and absorb the pressure,” he said, reflecting on his match-defining innings.
With Archer finding form and Jaiswal back among the runs, Rajasthan Royals appear to be peaking at the right time in IPL 2025.
Their all-round performance against Punjab Kings not only boosted morale but also reinforced their status as title contenders.
Also Read: IPL 2025: DC Beat CSK By 25 Runs, Become New Table Toppers With Win At Chepauk After 15 Years
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