Jofra Archer Warns RR: Avoid Punjab Kings' Collapse Mistake

Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Jofra Archer has said the team is heading in the right direction at a crucial stage of IPL 2026, while also pointing to Punjab Kings’ dramatic mid-season collapse as a warning for his side ahead of Qualifier 2. Archer made the remarks after Rajasthan Royals secured a convincing victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, keeping their hopes of reaching the IPL final alive after a strong late-season resurgence.

Rajasthan Royals began the season impressively before suffering a dip in form during the middle phase of the tournament. However, the inaugural IPL champions recovered at the right time to secure a playoff spot, driven largely by the outstanding performances of teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with the bat and Archer with the ball. The franchise has now emerged as one of the strongest contenders remaining in the competition as momentum shifts in their favor entering the final stages.

Sooryavanshi has been the standout batter for Rajasthan this season, producing explosive starts consistently at the top of the order. The 15-year-old currently leads the Orange Cap race with 680 runs from 15 matches at an average of 45.33 and an extraordinary strike rate of 242.85. His aggressive approach has transformed Rajasthan into one of the most dangerous batting units in IPL 2026 and has earned praise from teammates, opponents, and cricket experts alike.

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Archer, meanwhile, has spearheaded Rajasthan’s bowling attack and remains firmly in contention for the Purple Cap with 24 wickets. Following the win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, the England pacer stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and avoiding complacency during the tournament’s business end. Referring to Punjab Kings’ collapse after a dominant start to the season, Archer said Rajasthan did not want a similar decline to affect their campaign and emphasized the need for every player to continue contributing in each match.

Punjab Kings had appeared to be among the strongest teams earlier in the tournament after recording six wins and one draw in their opening seven matches. However, a damaging six-match losing streak derailed their playoff ambitions and allowed Rajasthan Royals to overtake them in the qualification race. Archer suggested that Rajasthan’s ability to recover from their own slump without losing confidence has been crucial in helping the side reach Qualifier 2 at the perfect time.

The England fast bowler also praised Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting after the youngster’s explosive innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Archer remarked that the more runs the teenager scores, the easier it becomes for the bowlers to defend totals under pressure. When asked whether he bowls to Sooryavanshi during practice sessions, Archer replied humorously that it happens “sometimes,” but declined to reveal further details about his strategy against the young batter, saying he would explain only after the IPL season concludes.

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