Overview
- Archer said on the debut episode of The Super Over podcast that KL Rahul in his early IPL years was the hardest batter he has bowled to, a remark first reported widely on Monday.
- Coverage paired Archer’s view with head‑to‑head numbers showing Rahul scored 108 IPL runs off 73 balls against Archer at a 147.9 strike rate and was dismissed only twice.
- The two have also met in Tests where Archer has bowled 136 deliveries to Rahul without taking his wicket, a statistic reporters cited to underline Rahul’s comfort against him.
- Rahul’s recent form fuels the claim because he finished IPL 2026 with 593 runs from 14 matches at a 174.41 strike rate, making the matchup relevant for England’s July white‑ball fixtures.
- Archer also named BJ Watling as his toughest Test opponent and returned match figures of 5/123 in England’s recent loss to New Zealand at The Oval, a performance noted alongside his podcast comments.