Rajasthan Royals is just a win away from qualifying for the IPL playoffs. The Royals have to thank two players in particular for allowing them to hope going into their last league match. While everyone is raving — and rightly so — about the incredible Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jofra Archer’s contribution hasn’t received as much attention.

It was his brilliant final over that ensured Sooryavanshi would have to chase a lesser target against Lucknow Super Giants in the must-win encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) . In LSG’s last over, just five runs came, not to mention the loss of three wickets.

It was a fine comeback by the Barbados-born England quick after disappointing in the PowerPlay. In the first half of the IPL this season, it was his fast and furious spells in the PowerPlay that broke the back of the rival teams’ batting.

With the new ball, he would deliver some awkward balls, some of which would climb menacingly into the batter. With the South African left-armer Nandre Burger, he formed probably the season’s most lethal new-ball attack.

Archer has been a trusted servant for Royals since landing in Jaipur in 2018. He hadn’t made his senior international debut yet. After being discovered, and taken along to Sussex, by fellow-Bajan Chris Jordan, he was serving the waiting period to play for England.

He had already been fascinated with the IPL. “I always wanted to play at the IPL but didn’t know how,” he had told this correspondent back then. Royals made it easier for him, spending Rs. 7.2 crore. Except for one season, in 2023 when he turned up for Mumbai Indians, he has always been with the Rajasthan franchise.

After taking 15 wickets in his first season, he took 20 in the 2020 edition, in which he was also the Most Valuable Player. Royals need him to breathe fire in Mumbai on Sunday (May 24, 2026).