3 potential replacements for Jofra Archer in Rajasthan Royals’ playing XI for the remainder of IPL 2025

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Rajasthan Royals (RR) have faced a turbulent IPL 2025 campaign, marked by flashes of brilliance and spells of inconsistency. Among the biggest stories for the Royals this season was the much-anticipated return of England speedster Jofra Archer. After being picked up for a hefty sum in the auction, Archer was expected to spearhead the RR bowling attack and provide the x-factor that could propel them deep into the tournament. However, his season has been cut short by a thumb injury, leaving the Royals in search of a suitable replacement for their final matches.

Archer’s homecoming to Rajasthan Royals was one of the most talked-about moments ahead of IPL 2025. Fans and pundits alike hoped his pace and accuracy would revive RR’s bowling fortunes. Unfortunately, Archer’s campaign never quite hit top gear. In his first IPL appearance in two years, Archer endured a torrid outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad, conceding a record 76 runs in his four overs-the worst-ever figures in IPL history. His first over alone went for 23 runs, and he struggled to regain control throughout the match.

Despite flashes of his old self, Archer’s overall impact this season was modest. He managed to pick up 11 wickets in 12 matches, sharing the top wicket-taker spot for RR with Maheesh Theekshana. But his economy rate and inability to deliver in crunch moments left the Royals vulnerable, especially during their five-match losing streak. Just as Archer seemed to be finding his rhythm, another injury ruled him out for the remainder of the season, dealing a significant blow to RR’s playoff hopes.

With Archer sidelined, RR must look within their squad or tap into their bench strength to fill the void. Here are three players who could step into Archer’s shoes for the rest of IPL 2025:

South Africa pacer Nandre Burger has already been part of the Royals’ setup this season and represents a like-for-like replacement in terms of raw pace and aggression. Burger’s left-arm angle offers variety to the RR attack, and he has previously shown the ability to swing the new ball and bowl effective short spells at the death. With Archer out, Burger could be tasked with bowling the crucial overs, especially in the powerplay and at the back end. His international experience and hunger to prove himself in the IPL make him a strong candidate to step up.

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Fazalhaq Farooqi, the Afghan left-arm seamer, is another exciting option for RR. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl tight lines, Farooqi brings a different skill set to the Royals’ pace battery. He has impressed in T20 leagues around the world and can be particularly effective in Indian conditions, where his cutters and slower balls can trouble batters. Farooqi’s knack for picking up wickets in the powerplay could help RR get early breakthroughs, something they have missed in Archer’s absence.

For a bold, future-oriented move, RR could turn to South African youngster Kwena Maphaka. Maphaka, though inexperienced at the IPL level, has made waves in age-group cricket with his rapid pace and fearless approach. Introducing Maphaka would not only inject fresh energy into the side but also give the Royals a chance to groom a potential star for future seasons. While he may lack Archer’s experience, his raw talent and unpredictability could catch opposition batters off guard.

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