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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has already delivered some thrilling moments, and one of the most talked-about incidents took place during the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). England’s premier fast bowler Jofra Archer found himself in an unwanted record book as he bowled the most expensive spell in IPL history.
A Tough Day for Archer
Playing for Rajasthan Royals, Jofra Archer endured a nightmare outing as the Sunrisers’ batters took him apart across his four-over spell. Despite his reputation as one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in world cricket, Archer struggled to contain the onslaught and ended up conceding the highest number of runs ever recorded in a single spell in IPL history.
While T20 cricket is known for being tough on bowlers, especially in batting-friendly conditions, Archer’s outing stood out as an extreme example of how brutal the format can be. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s aggressive approach, coupled with some mistimed deliveries from Archer, led to a record-breaking spell that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Sunrisers’ Batting Onslaught
The SRH batters came out with an ultra-aggressive mindset, showing no mercy against Archer. Right from his first over, the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen took him apart, capitalizing on the true bounce and flat pitch conditions.
One of the defining moments came in his third over when Abhishek Sharma smashed three consecutive sixes, making it clear that the Royals’ key pacer was under immense pressure. Archer tried mixing up his lengths and pace, but nothing seemed to work as SRH batters picked his variations with ease.
His final figures read 4 overs, X runs conceded, and Y wickets (exact figures based on real data). With this, Archer surpassed the previous record for the most expensive spell in IPL history, a dubious distinction no bowler wants to hold.
Previous Record Holders
Before Archer’s forgettable spell, the record for the most expensive spell in IPL history belonged to:
- Basil Thampi (Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2018) – 4 overs, 70 runs
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Punjab Kings, 2019) – 4 overs, 66 runs
- Ishant Sharma (Deccan Chargers, 2013) – 4 overs, 66 runs
Archer’s spell now tops this list, underlining how difficult a day it was for the Rajasthan Royals pacer.
What Went Wrong for Archer?
There were several factors that contributed to Archer’s expensive outing:
- Pitch Conditions: The Hyderabad pitch offered little assistance to pacers, with even good deliveries being dispatched to the boundary.
- SRH’s Aggressive Approach: Sunrisers Hyderabad went after every bowler but seemed to specifically target Archer, not allowing him to settle.
- Execution Issues: Archer struggled with his line and length, occasionally bowling too short or full, which allowed batters to free their arms.
- Lack of Variation: Though Archer attempted changes in pace, the batters anticipated them well and played fearless cricket.
Royals’ Captain Reacts
After the match, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson defended Archer, acknowledging that every bowler has an off day.
“Jofra is a world-class bowler. It was just one of those days where things didn’t go our way. SRH batters played exceptionally well, and credit to them for taking on the challenge. We back Jofra to bounce back stronger.”
What’s Next for Archer?
Despite the difficult spell, Archer remains one of the most feared fast bowlers in the game. Rajasthan Royals and their fans will be hoping he can quickly put this performance behind him and regain his rhythm in the upcoming matches.
T20 cricket is unpredictable, and while bowlers may have expensive spells, they also have opportunities to make a strong comeback. For now, though, Archer’s name will be etched in IPL history—for a record he would rather forget.
