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England fast bowler Joffra Archer, who has been playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a long time, named the batsman against whom he had to struggle the most. Interestingly, it is not Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
According to Jofra Archer, KL Rahul was amazing in his early days in the league. KL Rahul is arguably the most versatile batsman in the current Indian cricket team setup. Basically, a batsman who developed his wicketkeeping skills to support the team showed his skills by developing his game as the situation demanded.
Joffra Archer counted the talent of KL Rahul
IPL 2026 was remarkable for the Indian batsmen. The Delhi Capitals (DC) opening batsman was one of the leading run scorers in the IPL season. Rahul finished the season with 593 runs in 14 matches and as many innings at a strike rate of 174.41 and an average of 45.61.
During the campaign, the right-handed batsman scored one century and five half-centuries. His efforts were not rewarded as much as they should have been, as Delhi Capitals crashed out of the title race in the group stage.
Jofra Archer, considered an extremely talented and skilled Indian batsman, has mentioned that he was very difficult to bowl to.
“Probably KL Rahul in the first few years of the IPL. He was at his peak then, and it seemed like he could hit any ball anywhere. He was really tough to bowl to,” replied England international Jofra Archer, when asked, “The toughest batsman you have ever bowled to?”
I had no answer to KL Rahul – Jofra Archer
Question : The toughest batsman you have ever bowled to?
Joffra: “Probably KL Rahul in the first few years of the IPL. He was at his peak then, and looked like he could hit any ball anywhere. He was really tough to bowl to.” pic.twitter.com/lEprhZsCmJ
– Sam (@cricsam02) June 22, 2026
Rahul invented his batting in 2026
Based on strike rate ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League, the 2018 season was a great one for him. Rahul was then with Punjab Kings, scoring 659 runs in 14 matches and as many innings at an average of 54.91 and a strike rate of 158.41.
Last season, when he was with Royal Challengers Bangalore, KL Rahul scored 397 runs in 12 innings with a strike rate of 146.49. In his later years in the league, his strike rate was not low before changing gears in 2026.
While KL Rahul has an average strike rate of 139.14 in the T20 league, his strike rate last season with DC was 174.41, which shows how he adapts to the current scenario, where batsmen need to score runs quickly.
This batsman will be tested fiercely in England
After the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season, KL Rahul has retained his place in the ODI team. He didn’t get a chance to do much against Afghanistan in the ODIs, but he may have to play a key role against the England cricket team when the men travel to the UK to face Ireland and England for two separate bilateral competitions.
In the ODIs, the 34-year-old will have to show his class, skill and temperament against England’s aggressive bowling attack.
