Aakash Chopra praised Jofra Archer and Kagiso Rabada for their outstanding performances in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. When the Gujarat Titans play the Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 on Friday, May 29 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, they will once again be the center of attention.
According to Chopra, RR bowling coach Shane Bond and GT head coach Ashish Nehra must have instructed Rabada and Archer, respectively, to abandon the slower balls and attempt to bowl as quickly as possible.
“GT have 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.
“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.
Chopra emphasised that if the Shubman Gill-led team takes two or more wickets during the power play, they will win eight of their nine games. In the meantime, if Riyan Parag and company capture two or more wickets in the opening six overs, they win six of seven games.
“Will you want to bring him early this time?” Aakash Chopra on Rashid Khan prior to the 2026 Indian Premier League Qualifier 2
If the seamers are unable to eliminate the deadly Vaibhav Suryavanshi-Yashasvi Jaiswal pair, Aakash Chopra questioned whether Shubman will introduce Rashid Khan into the attack early.
“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.
“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.
