Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer Jofra Archer made headlines recently for his playful imitation of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling action during a training session in the ongoing IPL 2025. The right-arm fast bowler showcased his versatility by bowling a few balls of left-arm spin, perfectly mimicking Jadeja’s unique style. To add to the fun, Archer even celebrated like the Team India stalwart after delivering the balls.
The video of Archer emulating Jadeja’s action quickly made rounds on social media, with RR sharing the amusing moment on their Instagram account with a caption that read, “Jofra Archer. R̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ a̶r̶m̶ f̶a̶s̶t̶. Left-arm orthodox. 😂🔥.”
Archer’s return to the Rajasthan Royals squad was marked by his impressive performance in the IPL 2025 mega auction, where he was acquired for a hefty sum of ₹12.50 crore. Throughout the season, the 30-year-old speedster has showcased his skills by picking up 11 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 9.47.
Despite Archer’s contributions, Rajasthan Royals have had a disappointing campaign this season, failing to secure a spot in the playoffs. With just three wins and 10 defeats in 13 games, RR finds themselves at the ninth position in the points table. The team led by Sanju Samson will now aim to salvage some pride with a win in their final league match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Tuesday, May 20.
In a related development, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has put forth an interesting suggestion regarding the appointment of India’s next Test captain. With Rohit Sharma retiring from red-ball cricket, the quest for a new skipper is ongoing, with Shubman Gill emerging as a top contender for the role. However, Ashwin believes that the experienced Ravindra Jadeja should not be overlooked and should also be considered for the leadership position.
Ashwin proposed that Gill could be appointed as the vice-captain, with either Jadeja or Jasprit Bumrah taking on the captaincy role. The seasoned spinner emphasized the importance of having an experienced player at the helm, especially with the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC 2025-27) campaign commencing with a challenging away series against England starting June 20.
As Team India prepares for the Test series without the services of Kohli and Sharma, who have announced their retirements, the leadership dynamics within the squad are under scrutiny. With Ashwin’s suggestion in mind, the decision-makers will have to weigh their options carefully to ensure a smooth transition in leadership.
The cricketing world eagerly awaits the unfolding of these developments as the Indian team gears up for a new era under potentially new leadership.