Jofra Archer’s breakthrough spell in the opening overs proved decisive as Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator of IPL 2026. Archer was particularly effective during the Powerplay, taking three wickets early to disrupt the chase, and after the match he credited sticking to the team’s plans for the result. “Apart from the figures, I thought I bowled pretty alright. I think all of the guys bowled alright. We stuck to our plans, we stuck to our lengths, and we were rewarded tonight,” Archer said.
Archer struck quickly, removing Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan within his first three overs to break apart the SRH top order as they chased a demanding target of 244 in a do-or-die fixture.
Reflecting on his early wicket of Abhishek Sharma, which came on the second delivery of the first over, Archer added: “Usually, the team that gets the most wickets in the Powerplay usually wins the game. So it’s a lot of pressure, but I take it on, and I do my best for the team.”
With this win, Rajasthan now sit just two victories away from claiming a second IPL title. Their next assignment is Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans, with the winner set to meet Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.
Archer also suggested the Royals are moving in the right direction, while remaining alert to the risk of a late-season slump. He pointed to how Punjab Kings began the campaign strongly—remaining unbeaten in their first seven matches—before losing six straight and ultimately missing the playoffs, a collapse he hopes his side will not repeat. “Every game at a time. I think we are at our peak—well, I don’t want to say peaking—and we’re going in the right direction at the right time. We don’t want what happened to Kings XI [PBKS] to happen to us. So I think we’re on the right path. Everyone chipping in every game, and that’s the important part,” he said.
Rajasthan’s chase-ready total was powered by a standout innings from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He delivered a rapid knock of 97 off just 29 balls, striking 12 sixes and five fours, helping RR post a target of 244.
Speaking about Sooryavanshi’s performance, Archer said: “It was very exciting. The more runs he (Sooryavanshi) scores, the more runs we have to defend. So he can go on and get 150, so it’s good for the boys when he gets a lot of runs.”
Rajasthan will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on Friday at the Maharaja Yadavindra International Stadium in New Chandigarh.
