IPL 2021: Jofra Archer to miss the first half of the league

Ahead of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be hosted by BCCI from April 9 to May 30 in India across six venues, the wooden-spooners of last season Rajasthan Royals (RR) have been dealt with a massive blow as it is confirmed that their pace mainstay Jofra Archer will be missing the first half of the IPL 2021.

Jofra has been suffering from an elbow injury for quite some time now and his injury aggravated after he participated in all the five T20 Internationals against India. Thus after a thorough inspection of the fast-bowler by the medical-staff of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), it has been decided that Archer will return to England and will not feature in the three-match ODI series against India in Pune.

Also, the pacer is expected to get a third injection around mid-April for his elbow injury. After this looking at the progress of Jofra Archer, ECB’s medical-staff will take a call on whether the pacer will be returning to India to participate in the second half of the league or not.

Though an official announcement from the English board is awaited, the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals has received an update of Jofra Archer’s injury and they are working towards making new plans for the team for IPL 2021. In IPL 2020, Archer has emerged as the Most Valuable Player for contributing with both bat and ball for the Royals.

Jofra’s situation has definitely got worse, so it does need attention: Eoin Morgan

After India’s scintillating victory in the last T20 International to win the series by 3-2, England’s limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan had given an update on Jofra Archer saying that the seamers’ injury has become worse and needs immediate attention. Also, England’s team-management is not keen on taking a risk regarding Jofra as they have a busy cricketing year ahead.

“He’s clearly had a progressive injury that has become worse and does need attention, so it’ll be over to our medical team to make a decision and hopefully, the decision that Jofra comes to will be the best for us in the long term.

“I think it’s rare when a bowler isn’t managing pain – what they do is a tough job and if you ask any of them, are they ever pain-free, it’s a pretty rare instance if they say yes. Most of our bowlers are normally carrying niggles but certainly, Jofra’s situation has definitely got worse, so it does need attention,” Eoin Morgan had said after the game.