In a big setback to England and IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, pacer Jofra Archer’s return to the field from injury has been further delayed. The English pacer, who has been injured since IPL 2023, has picked up his latest injury as he was training as a part of the reserves for England’s World Cup 2023 squad.
Jofra Archer reportedly experienced elbow pain while training with the England side in Mumbai. It is pertinent to point out that the star pacer has been out of action for months together, putting up a now show that began from the commencement of IPL 2023. With the IPL 2024 auctions around the corner, it will be interesting to see which path Mumbai Indians (MI) would chose, when it comes to Archer.
Jofra Archer’s return delayed, fate of IPL future hanging
Archer is all set to miss England’s white-ball tour to the West Indies after the conclusion of the World Cup 2023. In and out of the game for 18 months after an elbow stress fracture during the IPL, Jofra Archer finally made his comeback in January 2023 in the series against Bangladesh and South Africa. However, the pacer was selected as a traveling reserve for England’s World Cup 2023 squad.
Having trained the minimal amount, Archer was en route back to England after just two training sessions at the Wankhede.
“We’re desperate for Jofra. We take that bet with him that we want him back fit and able to play for England, because of the upside,” England team director Rob Key said, as per ESPNCricinfo.
“He flies over here, comes out to Mumbai, bowls, and actually then he felt pain in his elbow. So then, the view was, ‘right, this is going to be a risk too far’. Because of the upside, that’s what lures you in. You start looking at things like the Ashes in two years, the T20 World Cup… Jofra adds so much to that.
“You don’t want to risk rushing something to see that kibosh the rest of his career. So we then said, ‘right, fine, this isn’t the right way to go. Rather than just keep him hanging around and not really doing anything, let’s send him back home and get in Brydon Carse who had been preparing.’”
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Jofra Archer’s future
It is pertinent to point out that Jofra Archer has played only seven international games for England since 2021. However, Robert Key expressed confidence in the pacer to recover and join the side soon, adding that the Board won’t be taking any chances with Archer until he is fit and ready to be back.
It also remains to be seen what would be Jofra Archer’s fate when it comes to the Indian Premier League (IPL). Mumbai Indians are likely to release an injured Archer, who has barely managed to represent the side despite fetching a hefty price. Archer’s future in the big T20 league could very well be influenced by his road to recovery.
