‘Kagiso Rabada is proper fire, Jofra Archer is no less’ – Aakash Chopra previews battle of in-form bowlers in Qualifier 2

Aakash Chopra hailed Kagiso Rabada and Jofra Archer’s exemplary performances during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. They will be in focus once again in Qualifier 2 as the Gujarat Titans take on the Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Friday, May 29.

Chopra opined that GT head coach Ashish Nehra and RR bowling coach Shane Bond must have told Rabada and Archer, respectively, to ditch the slower balls and try to bowl as fast as they can.

“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 underscored that the Shubman Gill-led side win eight out of their nine games if they pick up two or more wickets inside the power play. Meanwhile, Riyan Parag and Co. win six out of seven games if they take two or more scalps within the first six overs.

“Will you want to bring him early this time?” – Aakash Chopra on Rashid Khan ahead of IPL 2026 Qualifier 2

Aakash Chopra wondered whether Shubman would bring Rashid Khan into the attack early if the seamers can’t get rid of the dangerous Vaibhav Suryavanshi-Yashasvi Jaiswal duo.

“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.

Chopra said that while the Titans have a very experienced leg-spinner in Rashid, young Yash Raj Punja has also impressed in his maiden IPL season. The former India opener mentioned that the 19-year-old has a high-arm action and bowls slower, searching for wickets.

“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.

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