IPL 2026: Archer's fitness the season's biggest positive, says Irfan Pathan
Synopsis
Jofra Archer's injury-riddled past made his 24-wicket, near-ever-present IPL 2026 campaign the season's most compelling fitness comeback. Irfan Pathan's verdict: without Archer's early breakthroughs against SRH, Rajasthan Royals might not have made Qualifier 2 at all — and Gujarat Titans' disciplined unit could yet stop them going further.
Key Takeaways
Jofra Archer has taken 24 wickets from 15 games in IPL 2026 , the third-highest in the tournament.
Irfan Pathan called Archer's fitness the season's biggest positive, noting he played almost every match without breaking down.
Archer claimed three wickets against Sunrisers Hyderabad , restricting them to 196 all out and sealing Rajasthan Royals' passage to Qualifier 2.
Rajasthan Royals face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 at New Chandigarh on Friday .
Aakash Chopra backed GT's disciplined unit to challenge RR, advising them to bat first and post 200-plus runs .
GT suffered a 92-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1.
Jofra Archer's fitness has been the standout positive of IPL 2026, former India pacer Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports, crediting the Rajasthan Royals fast bowler's ability to feature in nearly every match — without breaking down — as central to the side's march into Qualifier 2. Archer has claimed 24 wickets from 15 games, making him the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
Archer's match-winning spell against SRH
Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Archer produced a fiery new-ball burst, taking three wickets to derail SRH's chase after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had posted a stunning 97. His hostile back-of-a-length bowling restricted SRH to 196 all out, securing RR's place in Qualifier 2.
'His over to Ishan Kishan went for a few runs, but he kept bowling hard lengths close to the stumps. Eventually, he got his wicket. He also hit the stumps consistently, especially against Travis Head. Archer targeted Head and delivered a magical ball to dismiss him — perfect line,' Pathan said.
What Pathan highlighted about Archer's approach
'He didn't try to bowl too full — he was in good rhythm, and that is why he picked up three crucial wickets. If those early wickets hadn't fallen, Sunrisers Hyderabad would have gotten much closer. Without Jofra Archer's early breakthroughs, the match could have been very different,' Pathan added.
Notably, Archer's injury history had long been a concern — repeated stress fractures and elbow issues had limited his availability across formats. A full, uninterrupted IPL campaign marks a significant milestone in his comeback arc.
Qualifier 2: RR vs GT in New Chandigarh
Rajasthan Royals will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 at New Chandigarh on Friday. GT enter the match after a 92-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1, but former India opener Aakash Chopra believes the Shubman Gill-led side retains the tools to upset RR.
'Gujarat Titans should have a clear plan heading into the second qualifier: bat first and put 200-plus runs on the board. They may not have the most glamorous or star-studded lineup, but they are a very disciplined unit,' Chopra said.
Chopra's take on GT's chances
'Every player knows their role, and they execute it without panic. They don't rely on one or two match-winners. Instead, they win as a team — through smart bowling changes, tight fielding, and calculated batting. That kind of discipline can be very hard to break,' Chopra added.
He concluded that if any team could halt RR's momentum, it was one that 'doesn't get overwhelmed by big names and sticks to the basics' — a description he applied squarely to Gujarat Titans. With the IPL 2026 final berth on the line, Friday's clash at New Chandigarh is set to be a defining contest.
Point of View
IPL franchises factored injury risk into his value — RR have now seen what a fit, rhythm-finding Archer looks like across a full campaign, and it is formidable. The more interesting question heading into Qualifier 2 is whether Chopra's reading of Gujarat Titans is correct: in knockout cricket, process-driven teams often outperform star-heavy ones. RR's batting depth and Archer's pace give them the edge on paper, but GT's refusal to panic under pressure is precisely the quality that upsets favourites.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wickets has Jofra Archer taken in IPL 2026?
Jofra Archer has taken 24 wickets from 15 games in IPL 2026, making him the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. His consistent availability has been as notable as his wicket tally.
What did Irfan Pathan say about Jofra Archer's fitness?
Irfan Pathan said fitness has been the biggest positive for Archer this season, noting he played almost every match without breaking down — a stark contrast to his injury-affected past. Pathan also credited Archer's pace, line, and back-of-a-length approach for his effectiveness.
Who do Rajasthan Royals face in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2026?
Rajasthan Royals face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 at New Chandigarh on Friday. The winner advances to the IPL 2026 final.
What happened in the RR vs SRH match?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 97 for Rajasthan Royals, and Jofra Archer then took three wickets in a hostile new-ball spell to bowl Sunrisers Hyderabad out for 196, securing RR's place in Qualifier 2.
What are Gujarat Titans' chances in Qualifier 2, according to Aakash Chopra?
Aakash Chopra believes GT's disciplined, team-first approach gives them a real chance to stop RR. He advised GT to bat first and post 200-plus runs, arguing their structured bowling and tight fielding can unsettle even strong opponents.
