'Hopefully, I'll be able to go' - Jofra Archer wishes to join IPL 2021 on resumption

Jofra Archer, who recently returned to action in the County Championship 2021, has expressed his thoughts about the situation in India. The 26-year-old pacer was one of the star overseas players ahead of the IPL 2021, where he was going to play for Rajasthan Royals. Unfortunately, an injury ruled him out of the tournament completely. 

Initially, it was reported that Archer will return to the tournament in the middle of the season, however, it was later revealed that he has been entirely ruled out of the 2021 edition. However, later the tournament got postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic. In the last few weeks, India has recorded more than 3 lakh cases every day. 

Archer returned to professional cricket when he played for the Sussex County Cricket Club in their championship match. On the first day of the first-class match against Kent, he picked two wickets. After the game, during an interaction, the English pacer said that if he had in fact gone to India, then, he would have to return home early.

It’s terrible in India at the moment: Jofra Archer

“It’s terrible in India at the moment and to be honest if I did go to India, I probably would have been home early, anyway, but I think that’s just how it’s gone. I feel hopeful when if it does reschedule for this year, hopefully, I’ll be able to go again but it was a hard decision to not go to India,” Archer said in an interaction, uploaded by the Sussex club on their official Youtube channel. 

During the same interaction, the pacer also expressed his desire to go to the IPL 2021, whenever it resumes. Rajasthan Royals and England all-rounder Ben Stokes was also ruled out of the IPL 2021. Archer also revealed that he doesn’t know if Stokes will be available when England starts their Test series against New Zealand. 

Jofra Archer further hinted that there is a possibility that Rajasthan Royals would want to retain him. The Jaipur-based franchise has several overseas stars but will be allowed to only retain ahead of the mega auction in 2022.