Jofra Archer Sets Unwanted IPL Record with 76 Runs in Four Overs

NEW DELHI, India — Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Jofra Archer etched his name into Indian Premier League (IPL) history for an unfortunate reason on Sunday, March 23, during the 2025 season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Archer conceded a staggering 76 runs in just four overs, marking the most expensive bowling spell in IPL history.

The match took place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, where Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a mammoth total of 286 for 6, the second-highest total ever in the league. Ishan Kishan brought fireworks to the crease, scoring a blistering century that helped his team achieve the lofty score.

Archer’s record-breaking spell surpassed the previous worst, held by Mohit Sharma, who had conceded 73 runs in four overs while playing for Gujarat Titans against Delhi Capitals in 2024. Before that, Basil Thampi’s 70 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018 stood at the top.

The disastrous outing began early for Archer. In his first over during the PowerPlay, Travis Head led the charge, hammering Archer for 23 runs, including four boundaries and a towering six. This set the tone for what would become a historic drubbing.

Sadly for the Royals, the barrage continued as Archer struggled to contain the aggressive batting lineup of Sunrisers Hyderabad. By the end of his spell, he had yielded a staggering 76 runs without claiming a wicket, leaving the Royals fielding unit reeling.

Following Archer’s poor performance, the Sunrisers went on to showcase their batting prowess, with Kishan scoring his century off just 45 balls. Travis Head also contributed with quick scores, alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen, effectively dismantling the Royals’ bowling department.

Despite the heavy onslaught, Tushar Deshpande was a brief bright spot for the Royals, conceding fewer than 50 runs in his spell. The remaining bowlers, however, were unable to cope with the intense aggression of the Sunrisers’ batting lineup.

Archer’s difficult day in the field certainly adds pressure on the fast bowler, who was the most expensive buy for Royals at last year’s mega auction, fetching Rs 12.50 crore. He managed to bowl only one dot ball during his four-over spell, giving away an alarming tally of 20 fours and four sixes.

As the IPL season progresses, it remains to be seen how Archer will rebound from this challenging performance, and the impact it may have on the Rajasthan Royals’ campaign.