[Watch] IPL 2025: Jofra Archer lines up Priyansh Arya to deal PBKS first-ball blow

On Saturday, April 5, in Match 18 of the 2025 Indian Premier League against the Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, Jofra Archer removed Priyansh Arya from the opening ball of the second innings. In the IPL, this was the eleventh time a player from RR had taken a wicket off the opening delivery of an innings.

There was no chance for Priyansh to defend his wicket after an away-nipping delivery.

The delivery, which was travelling at 144.6 kmph, only veered slightly off the seam. But the movement was sufficient to cut the opening batter, who was left-handed, in half. The batter did not shift their feet. After the wicket fell, Archer was understandably energised.

Archer on

Jofra Archer’s double timber-strike gives #RR a dream start

Updates https://t.co/kjdEJydDWe#TATAIPL | #PBKSvRR | @JofraArcher | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/CfLjvlCC6L

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 5, 2025

The strong English fast bowler all-rounder was not finished yet, as he dismissed captain Shreyas Iyer on the last ball of the opening over. He returned brilliantly after Iyer hit him for a couple of boundaries. After missing the ball by a significant margin, Iyer lost all shape when attempting to hit Archer for a third boundary in the over.

Earlier in the day, RR scored 205 runs after giving up just four wickets in their allocated 20-over limit. Yashasvi Jaiswal hit three fours and five sixes in his top-scoring 67 off 45 deliveries. After scoring 43* off 25 deliveries, Riyan Parag was declared undefeated. To his credit, Lockie Ferguson claimed a few wickets. The most costly bowler for PBKS was Marcus Stoinis, who gave up 48 runs in four overs.