In a recent chat, Archer was asked who is the hardest batter he has ever bowled to. He didn’t even hesitate, and immediately went with KL Rahul, explaining why stopping him felt like trying to pin down something that won’t stay still.

Jofra Archer said:

“Probably KL Rahul in the first few years of the IPL. He was in his prime then, and it felt like he could hit any ball anywhere. He was really hard to bowl to.”

The above statement shows how Archer views the batting skills of Rahul. The timing and variety of shots by Rahul have always made things tough for some of the best bowlers around and yes, the world has constantly proved this again and again.

KL Rahul was among the top-performing cricketers in the IPL 2026 season as well. Playing for Delhi Capitals, he scored 593 runs in 14 matches at an average of 45.61 and a strike rate of 174.41 runs. Aggressive figures, no wonder he kept making headlines with his technique.

In the tournament, the right-handed batter hit one hundred and five fifties. The technique and aggressive mindset were one of the topics of discussion during the entire season.

Even when KL Rahul was in good form, Delhi Capitals were unable to qualify for the playoffs and had to exit in the league stages. However, his individual performances received praise and recognition.

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For years, Rahul was sort of seen as a batsman who mixes caution with aggression. He would score runs regularly, sure, but there was usually a discussion around his strike rate in T20 cricket, like, why it wasn’t always at the highest gear.

But that thing changed in IPL 2026.

In that season, Rahul leaned much more into the attack. His strike rate of 174.41 sat among the best marks from his IPL career and it clearly showed he can shift his game for modern T20 cricket demands.

The experienced batter also made the necessary adjustments, he didn’t just stick to old patterns. Instead, he played with more freedom, and that improved intent helped him stay in the list of top run-scorers throughout the competition.

Rahul has had multiple memorable IPL runs over time. One of his finest was in 2018, when he played for Punjab Kings.

Back then, he scored 659 runs in 14 matches. The average was 54.91, and the strike rate was 158.41. Those performances helped him become one of the league’s most reliable batters, the kind teams always counted on.

Even before that, during his Royal Challengers Bengaluru phase, Rahul proved he could score quickly while still keeping his consistency intact. He wasn’t just about pace, he was about control too. His long track record inside the IPL is one reason why bowlers still rate him so highly.

After the IPL season, KL Rahul kept his spot in India’s ODI squad. He didn’t really get many chances to make a major impact during the ODI series against Afghanistan, so the tougher, sharper tests are now waiting.

India are heading to the United Kingdom for white-ball series against Ireland and England. Rahul is expected to be a key part, especially in the ODI matches.

England, on their side, have one of the strongest pace lineups in world cricket. So Rahul’s experience will matter a lot for India. The senior batter will need to use his skill, his technique, and also his temperament to manage the difficult conditions.

And as Rahul heads toward another important international assignment, praise from a fast bowler like Jofra Archer is basically a reminder, loud and clear, of the kind of quality and talent he brings to the Indian setup.