IPL 2025: Jofra Archer Finds Form as Rajasthan Royals Outclass Punjab Kings

Sandeep Sharma hails Archer’s comeback and Royals' smart pitch reading in dominant win​

Chandigarh, April 6 – England pacer Jofra Archer is back in rhythm, and Rajasthan Royals are reaping the benefits. After a rocky start to the IPL 2025 season, Archer bounced back with a fiery spell against Punjab Kings on Saturday night, helping the Royals secure a comprehensive 50-run victory.

Teammate Sandeep Sharma, who also played a pivotal role in the win, praised Archer's return to form and emphasized the trust the team always had in his abilities.

Archer Overcomes Early Struggles​

Archer had a tough beginning to the season, conceding 76 runs in four overs in the opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad, followed by another expensive outing against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he leaked 33 runs in just 2.3 overs without taking a wicket.

However, the England quick made a stunning comeback in his recent matches. Against Punjab Kings, he struck early, removing Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer in the very first over, setting the tone for Rajasthan’s defense of a formidable 205-run total.

“When you start any tournament like the IPL, it’s high pressure with so many quality batters. First two matches, your nerves are high. I think that’s what happened,” said Sandeep Sharma after the match.
“We always knew Jofra is a world-class bowler. The skill he brings to the game is totally different. Very few can match that.”

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Sandeep added that the team had full faith in Archer and believed he just needed a couple of good overs to regain confidence.

Rajasthan Royals Master the Pitch​

Sandeep Sharma, who returned with figures of 2 for 21 in four overs, highlighted how the Royals read the pitch better than their opponents, which made a significant difference in the outcome. Punjab Kings could only manage 155 for 9 in response to Royals' 205 for 4.

“Actually, this pitch had a skidding back-of-length and was keeping low. We observed the other team bowl and realized it quickly. I think we read the pitch faster than them,” he explained.
“During time-outs, we spoke with our batters to get real-time feedback—what balls were hard to hit or convert into boundaries. We used that information to adjust our bowling plans.”

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Sandeep also credited the Rajasthan batters for putting up a strong total on what he described as a tricky wicket.

As Rajasthan Royals continue to build momentum in IPL 2025, Archer’s return to top form could be the X-factor they need going forward.