Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody has showered praise on Jofra Archer after Rajasthan Royals claimed a comprehensive 47-run win against Sunrisers Hyderabad at New Chandigarh on Wednesday. Moody praised RR’s pack leader for attacking the opposition batters and playing a key role in the win.

Archer returned with figures of 3-58 in his quota of four overs. The England International accounted for SRH’s top three batters – Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Ishan Kishan – in the Powerplay overs and broke the back of the opposition’s run chase.

Tom Moody said on ESPN Cricinfo, “You have to really admire his performance in a pretty short turnaround for him. As an elite fast bowler to turn it up, he was bowling over 150 [kph] on the odd occasion. He did what he needed to do. He didn’t look to defend. He came and attacked the opposition and took them out. You couldn’t ask for anything more. That’s what he’s paid for, and that’s what he delivered.”

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.

On the other hand, former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu said SRH batters could not adjust to the New Chandigarh pitch as the ball was skidding on.

He said, “The wicket in Hyderabad did them in. There they could line up those line and lengths. Here, the ball was actually skidding on. It was coming quite fast off the pitch. There was a bit more bounce as well. That’s where I felt they could not adjust quickly. That’s why Abhishek and Ishan got done. Even Head was trying to take everything on, but could not do it.”

RR will now face GT in the second qualifier on Friday.