IPL 2021: Jofra Archer set to miss first four matches for Rajasthan Royals

England fast bowler Jofra Archer is reportedly set to return to India to play for the Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. While earlier reports suggested that the right-arm pacer would miss the complete IPL season, he now looks set to play in the better part of the fourteenth edition of the tournament.

Earlier this month, Archer returned home just before the ODI series against India due to an elbow injury. The 25-year-old played two Tests and all five T20Is in India but was ruled out of the ODI series because of a problem with his right elbow, which deteriorated during the two-month tour. Earlier this week on Monday, he underwent a successful finger surgery to remove a piece of glass that became lodged in a finger when he smashed a fish tank in the bath while trying to clean it.

And while there is no update on his elbow injury, it looks like the Rajasthan Royals star would be fit to play before the important phase of the league gets underway. According to ESPNcricinfo, he is expected to miss at least the first four matches of the Royals’ schedule. IPL 2021 starts on April 9 while the Royals are scheduled to play their first match on April 12 in Mumbai against the Punjab Kings.

The report further stated that the franchise expects Archer to be out for at least for the first four matches. Royals’ fourth match is against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 22. As of now, Archer would begin two weeks of rehabilitation following the surgery. The ECB has stated that the bowler would be reviewed by a consultant before returning to training and a further update on his elbow problem would be given once he resumes his bowling.

Missing Jofra Archer a big blow for Rajasthan Royals

Jofra Archer’s absence would be a big blow for the Royals. The inaugural IPL winners would be hoping that he regains his fitness as soon as possible. Archer has been an indispensable part of the Royals team since joining the franchise in 2018. He was adjudged the MVP of IPL 2021 after picking up 20 wickets at 18.25 while conceding 6.55 runs per over. Archer had also hit ten sixes while scoring 113 runs at a strike-rate of 179.36.