Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Jofra Archer delivered a match winning all round performance as Rajasthan Royals secured the final Indian Premier League playoff spot with a 30 run victory over Mumbai Indians on Sunday. Archer starred with both bat and ball at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, helping Rajasthan post 205 for 8 before restricting Mumbai to 175 for 9.
The result confirmed Rajasthan’s place in the IPL playoffs with 16 points and eliminated Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders from contention. Australian players Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green also wrapped up their IPL campaigns as Delhi Capitals defeated Kolkata later in the evening.
Archer changes game with bat and ball
Rajasthan appeared in trouble after slipping to 119 for 5 in the 13th over. However, Archer was promoted to number seven in the batting order and changed the momentum of the match with a rapid 32 from just 15 balls.
The England fast bowler struck three sixes and one four during his aggressive cameo. His innings helped Rajasthan score 73 runs in the final five overs to finish with a highly competitive total.
After making his impact with the bat, Archer quickly took control with the ball. He claimed 3 for 17 and removed several key Mumbai batters to halt the chase.
“I don’t think this is my best season,” Archer said after the win.
“Every time I take the ball, I have to hit good areas. Not always rewarded, happy it came on an important day.”
He also joked about his growing reputation as a batter.
“I class myself as an all rounder but folks call me a bowler.”
Archer now has 21 wickets in 14 matches this season and sits third on the IPL wicket taking list behind Kagiso Rabada and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who both have 24 wickets.
Rajasthan survive early collapse
Rajasthan’s innings began poorly after losing openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early in the powerplay.
England spinner Will Jacks dismissed Jaiswal for 27, while Indian seamer Deepak Chahar removed Sooryavanshi for four.
Wicketkeeper batter Dhruv Jurel top scored through the middle overs with 38, while Sri Lankan all rounder Dasun Shanaka added a quickfire 29 from 15 deliveries.
Despite those contributions, Rajasthan still looked vulnerable before Archer launched the late assault. Ravindra Jadeja contributed 19 from 11 balls and Nandre Burger smashed 10 runs from only three deliveries to strengthen the total further.
Mumbai captain Hardik Pandya later admitted his side failed to contain Rajasthan during the closing overs.
“Last five overs are always difficult. If you can stop one, two boundaries, you can keep teams 12 to 15 runs short,” Pandya said.
“Conceding 73 in the last five cost us too.”
Mumbai collapse despite Suryakumar resistance
Archer gave Rajasthan the perfect start with the ball by dismissing Rohit Sharma for a duck in the opening over. He then removed Naman Dhir, while Burger sent Ryan Rickelton back to leave Mumbai struggling at 38 for 4.
Suryakumar Yadav attempted to rescue the innings with an excellent 60 and shared important partnerships with several teammates, including a 48 run stand with Pandya for the sixth wicket.
Pandya contributed 34 before Archer broke the partnership and regained control of the match. Suryakumar’s dismissal in the 18th over effectively ended Mumbai’s hopes of victory.
The win secured Rajasthan’s playoff berth and completed the final four alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Rajasthan will now face Hyderabad in the eliminator on Wednesday, while Bengaluru and Gujarat meet in the first qualifier on Tuesday.
Delhi finish strongly as Kolkata exit tournament
In the later match at Eden Gardens, Delhi Capitals closed their season with a convincing 40 run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders.
KL Rahul led the way with a composed 60 as Delhi posted 203 for 5 after being sent in to bat first.
Kolkata looked well placed during the chase at 128 for 3 before Kuldeep Yadav changed the match with consecutive wickets. The wrist spinner dismissed captain Ajinkya Rahane and Rinku Singh in successive deliveries.
Kuldeep had earlier removed Australian all rounder Cameron Green for just two runs.
South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi starred with 3 for 27, while Australian paceman Mitchell Starc finished with 2 for 26 as Kolkata were bowled out for 163.
“Tonight was good. We’ve had an up and down season. It makes it easier to look back and see where we went wrong,” Ngidi said after the match.
Kolkata captain Rahane praised his squad despite the disappointing end to their title defence.
“I’m proud of each and every individual,” Rahane said.
“They put that effort going out there. We didn’t qualify, which is disappointing.”