IPL 2025 [WATCH]: Jofra Archer castles Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer with fiery pace in PBKS vs RR clash

Jofra Archer delivered a breathtaking performance with the ball in Match 18 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, leaving Punjab Kings (PBKS) reeling early in their chase against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. The English speedster’s fiery spell saw him dismantle the stumps of PBKS openers Priyansh Arya and captain Shreyas Iyer, setting the tone for a thrilling encounter under the lights.

Jofra Archer’s explosive start rocks PBKS

The match began with high anticipation as PBKS, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, restricted RR to a formidable 205/4, thanks to solid contributions from Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and a late flourish by Riyan Parag. However, it was Archer who stole the spotlight when RR took the field. In his very first over, he sent Priyansh’s stumps cartwheeling with a searing yorker, dismissing the opener for a duck on the first ball. The crowd erupted as the replay showcased Archer’s raw pace and precision.

Not content with one scalp, Archer struck again in the same spell, this time targeting PBKS skipper Iyer. After Iyer managed a couple of boundaries to settle in, Archer unleashed a thunderbolt that crashed into the stumps, ending Iyer’s brief resistance. The twin blows left PBKS at 3 down inside the powerplay, with Archer’s pace proving too much for the home side’s top order.

Here is the video:

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

Also WATCH: Sanju Samson goes livid after losing his wicket to Lockie Ferguson during PBKS vs RR game in IPL 2025

RR’s dominance and PBKS’s struggles

Archer’s heroics were complemented by Sandeep Sharma, who dismissed Marcus Stoinis for just 1, caught and bowled, further deepening PBKS’s woes.

Meanwhile, RR’s total of 205/4 was built on a strong foundation laid by Samson (38) and Jaiswal, with Parag’s late fireworks and Dhruv Jurel’s cameo in the final over pushing the score past the 200-mark.

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