IPL 2026: Has Jofra Archer troubled Sanju Samson in T20s?
What's the story
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, will have the services of Sanju Samson for the 2026 season. The wicketkeeper-batter, who served Rajasthan Royals for over a decade, is among the best batters in the league's history. However, some bowlers have managed to get under his skin in T20 cricket. One of them is Samson's former RR teammate Jofra Archer. On this note, let's decode their rivalry.
Rivalry
Three dismissals from six innings
As Samson and Archer shared the RR dressing room for several seasons, the two players have never locked horns in an IPL game. However, the former must have faced the England pacer a lot in the nets. Meanwhile, Samson and Archer have faced each other across six T20I innings, as per ESPNcricinfo. Though the former has dismissed the keeper-batter thrice, he also went for 63 runs off just 37 balls.
Short balls
Archer has troubled Samson with short balls
Each of Archer's three dismissals versus Samson came in the first three T20Is of the 2025 India-England series. A 145.9kph short ball from Archer trapped Samson in the series opener as the latter mistimed a pull shot. In the second game, Samson was again undone by a 148 kph short ball outside the off-stump. Archer trapped Samson thrice in a row with a short ball into the body in the third match as Samson spliced a catch toward mid-on.
Information
Samson holds this record vs Archer
The fifth and final game of the aforementioned India-England series saw Samson hammer Archer for two sixes in the very first over. Having started India's innings with a maximum. Samson became only the third Indian to hit a six off the first ball of a T20I. He joined Rohit Sharma (off Adil Rashid, Ahmedabad, 2021) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (off Sikandar Raza, Harare, 2024) on this list.
Career stats
A look at their overall IPL stats
In his overall IPL career, Samson has scored 4,704 runs from 117 matches at an average of 30.94 and a strike rate of 139.04. This includes 29 scores of 50 or more, including three tons. Meanwhile, Archer, who will continue to serve the Royals, will enter IPL 2026 with 59 wickets in 52 games at 27.15. His economy is a fine 7.89.