Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons there will be a mini battle between Kagiso Rabada and Jofra Archer during the second qualifier between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals. Chopra believes the fast bowling duo will hold the key for their respective teams.
The renowned commentator reckons GT’s head coach Ashish Nehra and RR’s bowling coach Shane Bond would have told their opening bowlers to bowl fast and not try to bowl slower deliveries.
It has been noted that Archer and Rabada have been bowling at full throttle in the ongoing season. While Archer has scalped 24 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 21.41 and an economy rate of 9.17 in the ongoing IPL 2026, Rabada has snared 26 wickets in 15 games at an average of 21.03 and an economy rate of 9.48.
“GT has taken 31 Powerplay wickets. RR aren’t too far behind either. They have also taken 29 wickets. Kagiso Rabada is bowling like fire. The bro is proper fire, but Jofra is no less. He is also bowling at 150 kph. I think both bowling coaches have said something in their ears, that they should bowl length balls and fast, and stay far away from slower ones,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“Both used to be guilty of that. Jofra used to bowl a leg-cutter variation, and Kagiso Rabada used to use an off-cutter variation a lot. The role clarity has come this time. Shane Bond might have spoken to Jofra, and it might be Ashish Nehra’s input for Kagiso Rabada,” he added.
On the other hand, Chopra wondered if GT skipper Shubman Gill would want to bowl Rashid Khan early against RR. Gill had given the eighth over to Rashid Khan against RCB in the first qualifier.
“What about Rashid Khan? Rashid Khan has taken wickets, but he rarely bowls in the Powerplay. Will you want to bring him early this time? If Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal don’t get out early, do you want to introduce him slightly early? It’s one thing that they must think about,” he said.
Chopra praised RR’s young spinner Yash Raj Punja for his impressive performances in the ongoing season.
“There is Karamati Khan, who has plenty of experience on one side, but Yash Raj Punja has flown under the radar. Ever since he has come, his performance has been extremely praiseworthy. He bowls from a good height and has a high-arm action. He doesn’t bowl only fast. He bowls slightly slow as well, and he is also a wicket-taker,” Chopra observed.
RR will take on GT in the second qualifier on Friday.
