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Jofra Archer was bought back by Rajasthan Royals [Source: @Cricketracker/x.com]
They say home is where the heart is and for Jofra Archer, it seems home is where Rajasthan Royals are. After a few years away, Rajasthan Royals brought back their former MVP for a staggering INR 12.50 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.
The Englishman who first burst onto the IPL scene in 2018 with Rajasthan is set to return in pink. With injury concerns and a rollercoaster few seasons, the big question remains – can Jofra Archer rediscover his lethal best for RR?
Let’s analyze Jofra Archer's past performances for Rajasthan Royals.
Jofra Archer’s IPL Career With Rajasthan Royals
Archer was a revelation for Rajasthan Royals when he first donned their jersey in 2018. With express pace, deadly yorkers and sharp bouncers, he made an immediate impact and became RR’s go-to weapon with the ball.
| Year | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 10 | 11 | 14 | 35 |
| Wickets | 15 | 11 | 20 | 46 |
| Average | 21.66 | 26.45 | 18.45 | 21.33 |
| Economy | 8.36 | 6.76 | 6.55 | 7.13 |
| Best Figures | 3/22 | 3/15 | 3/19 | 3/15 |
| Runs Scored | 15 | 67 | 113 | 195 |
| Strike-Rate | 71.42 | 167.50 | 179.36 | 157.26 |
Table - Jofra Archer IPL Stats For Rajasthan Royals
A Dream Debut in 2018
The first glimpse of Archer’s brilliance came against Mumbai Indians where he picked up 3/22 in his IPL debut. Not only did he bag the Player of the Match award, but he also showed the world why RR had invested in him.
That season, Archer ended up with 15 wickets from 10 matches at an economy of 8.36: pretty impressive numbers for a young pacer in his maiden IPL stint.
A Steady 2019 Season
Archer carried his good form into 2019, taking 11 wickets in 11 matches at a tidy economy of 6.76. His ability to contain batters in the death overs stood out as he became RR’s most reliable death bowler. With the bat, he played a couple of handy cameos, but it was clear that his biggest impact was with the ball.
MVP Season In 2020
If 2018 and 2019 were the buildup, 2020 was the Jofra Archer Show. He was simply unstoppable, winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award despite RR finishing at the bottom of the table. His numbers were staggering:
- 20 wickets in 14 matches: proving himself as the lone warrior in RR’s bowling attack.
- Economy of just 6.55: among the best in the tournament.
- Deadly strike rate of 16.7, regularly breaking partnerships and dismantling top orders.
- On top of that, Archer even chipped in with the bat, scoring 113 runs at a strike rate of 179.36, proving he could do damage with the bat too.
What Can RR Expect From Archer in IPL 2025?
A lot has changed since 2020. Injuries, surgeries, and inconsistent game time have made Archer’s return to the IPL a risky yet exciting gamble. He had a short, injury-ridden stint with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 but now back with RR, he has the chance to revive his IPL career.
RR's Pace Spearhead Again?
RR will need Archer to lead their pace attack which has some inexperienced and young fast bowlers. If he can regain his rhythm and fitness, his express pace and variations can once again make him one of the most dangerous bowlers in the league.
Archer was RR’s most reliable death bowler during his first stint. If he can get back to his old form, he will give Sanju Samson led Rajasthan a lethal end-overs weapon, something they lacked in the last few seasons.
The stakes are high, the expectations even higher. If Jofra Archer can stay fit, Rajasthan Royals might have just pulled off the steal of the auction. Fans will be hoping that the Jofra Archer of 2020 returns in IPL 2025: the one who bowled fireballs, terrorized batters and won RR matches single-handedly.
If he does, Rajasthan Royals might just be the team to beat this season!
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