In what was a day to forget for Jofra Archer, the England seamer set an unwanted record in the 2025 Indian Premier League, conceding an astonishing 0-76 from his four overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The figure now stands as the most expensive bowling performance in IPL history, surpassing the previous worst of 0-73 set by Mohit Sharma in 2024.
The Sunrisers posted an imposing total of 286-6 in their 20 overs, with Ishan Kishan’s explosive 106 not out off just 47 balls leading the charge. His blistering innings was supported by Travis Head (67 off 31), and Rajasthan Royals simply had no answer to the onslaught. Despite Archer’s nightmare spell, Rajasthan Royals were forced to watch as the Sunrisers piled on the runs, with the destructive hitting setting a new benchmark for power-hitting in T20 cricket.
Archer’s Unfortunate Record-Breaking Performance
Archer’s performance was the highlight (or lowlight) of the match. The pacer, returning to IPL action, was ruthlessly targeted by the Sunrisers’ top order. His first over, bowled in the fifth of the innings, was taken for 23 runs by Australia’s Travis Head, who dispatched four fours and a six with ease. Head’s assault on Archer set the tone for the rest of the innings.
Things did not improve for Archer in his following overs, as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ishan Kishan continued to feast on his bowling. Archer’s second over went for 12, and his third over was even worse, with 22 runs being plundered off it, as Kishan hit three of his six sixes off the over. Archer’s final over was no better, conceding another 23 runs, including a no-ball that led to four byes, and further boundary strokes from Heinrich Klaasen and Kishan.
The result of Archer’s spell was disastrous for the Royals, as Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their relentless onslaught, scoring at a blistering pace. Archer’s 0-76 stands as the most expensive bowling figures ever recorded in IPL history, overshadowing the previous worst of 0-73 by Mohit Sharma.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Record-Breaking Total
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 286-6 is the second-highest total in IPL history, narrowly missing the record set by the Sunrisers themselves in 2024, when they posted a massive 287-3 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kishan’s unbeaten knock, along with solid contributions from Head and Klaasen, powered the team to a near-impossible-to-chase total.
For Rajasthan, it was a tough day on the field as they battled to keep the Sunrisers’ batters in check. Despite the tough bowling performance, Rajasthan did manage to pick up some key wickets, with Tushar Deshpande (3-44) and Maheesh Theekshana (2-52) making a dent in the Sunrisers’ batting lineup. However, the sheer volume of runs scored by Hyderabad was too much for Rajasthan to overcome.
Royals’ Fightback Falls Short
Rajasthan Royals did mount a response, putting up a competitive total of 242-6 in their 20 overs. Captain Sanju Samson led the charge with a valiant 66 off 37 balls, supported by Dhruv Jurel, who smashed 70 from 35 balls. The Royals’ batting effort was not enough to chase down the mammoth target, despite some impressive knocks, as they fell 44 runs short.
A Day to Forget for Archer, but IPL 2025 Still Promises Much
While Archer’s record-breaking performance will undoubtedly dominate the headlines, it is crucial to remember that the IPL is a long tournament, and one off-day doesn’t define a player’s career. Archer, one of England’s premier fast bowlers, will look to bounce back from this disappointment as the season progresses.
As for Sunrisers Hyderabad, their mammoth total of 286-6 sets them up as a formidable side, with the explosive batting of Kishan and Head proving to be a lethal combination. They will be looking to carry this momentum forward into the rest of the tournament.
IPL 2025: Archer’s Nightmare Day in Perspective
While Archer now holds the record for the worst IPL bowling figures, the match overall showcased the explosive potential of the Sunrisers’ batting lineup. The Royals will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next fixture, while Archer will look to put this performance behind him and focus on the road ahead.
Other Notable IPL 2025 Bowling Figures:
- 0-76 – Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals) – vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2025)
- 0-73 – Mohit Sharma (Gujarat Titans) – vs Delhi Capitals (2024)
- 0-70 – Basil Thampi (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – vs RCB (2024)
- 0-69 – Yash Dayal (Gujarat Titans) – vs Mumbai Indians (2023)
- 0-68 – Reece Topley (RCB) – vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2024)
Highest IPL Totals:
- 287-3 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs RCB (2024)
- 286-6 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals (2025)
- 277-3 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians (2024)
- 272-7 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals (2024)
- 266-7 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals (2024)
As IPL 2025 progresses, both teams will be hoping for better performances, with Sunrisers looking to build on their stunning total, while Rajasthan Royals aim to recover from a disappointing start.
