Rajasthan Royals’ speedster Jofra Archer made an electrifying start to IPL 2025, bowling the tournament’s first maiden over in a high-octane clash against Chennai Super Kings. Archer not only delivered a wicket-maiden but also removed the in-form Rachin Ravindra for a duck, putting CSK under immediate pressure in their chase of 183.
Archer sets the tone with pace and precision
Having endured a lean run in his last four IPL outings, Archer entered this match with something to prove. The England pacer wasted no time, extracting pace, bounce, and movement to trouble CSK’s top order.
His opening over was a masterclass in fast bowling—tight lines, sharp movement, and relentless pressure. Ravindra, one of CSK’s key batters in the tournament so far, struggled against Archer’s accuracy. After missing twice while trying to cut deliveries angling away, he finally edged one to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, gifting Archer his first wicket of the IPL.
The Royals’ strike bowler backed it up with dot balls to Ruturaj Gaikwad, ensuring the first over ended as a wicket-maiden, a rare feat in the high-scoring T20 format.
Over timeline: Jofra Archer’s wicket-maiden
- 0.1 – Short of length, Rachin Ravindra defends.
- 0.2 – Beaten! A sharp outswinger beats Ravindra’s edge.
- 0.3 – Another play and a miss as Ravindra tries to cut.
- 0.4 – OUT! Ravindra edges to Jurel behind the stumps.
- 0.5 – Short ball, Gaikwad ducks under it.
- 0.6 – Punched to point, no run.
CSK stumble early in the chase
With 183 to chase, CSK needed a strong start, but Archer’s early strikes left them reeling. At the end of two overs, CSK had managed just four runs, with Gaikwad and Rahul Tripathi at the crease.
The early breakthrough meant CSK had already lost their most consistent batter, and Rajasthan tightened their grip on the game. Archer’s spell was a reminder of his raw pace and match-winning ability—if his form holds, RR could be a major force this season.
