Jofra Archer’s late entry into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 auction left many surprised. Despite the fact that the pacer was all but confirmed to be out of action from this year’s IPL, he put his name in the auction pool. Even more surprisingly, Mumbai Indian went head-to-head with Rajasthan Royals for Archer’s services, buying him for INR 8 crore.
Mumbai’s big-money purchase of Archer saw many question the idea behind this move as Archer was all but set to miss this edition of the T20 league. However, since the auction, a few videos have emerged showing Archer gradually getting back to cricket. But, does that mean that he has a chance of featuring in the IPL this year?
In an interview with the Mumbai Indians, Archer was asked the million-dollar question. His response, however, wasn’t the one that fans were hoping for.
“As it stands, it was always going to be next year. I think I have progressed a bit faster than we all thought I would’ve. Which is still good, but it’s still gonna be next year. I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up too high. I don’t wanna disappoint anyone. So, I am going to say next year,” said Archer.
After the auction, Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani was also asked about the mindset behind signing Jofra Archer at the auction. He responded saying it’s the prospect of pairing Archer and Jasprit Bumrah together that made him go after the Englishman.
“Jofra has been a player Mahela (Jayawardene) gave his first professional debut too. So happy to have got him. So happy to have Jof and Boom making a lethal bowling attack, although next year,” he had said back then.
“If someone said to me that Mumbai Indians will walk out with Ishan Kishan and Jofra Archer after the auction, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he had added.
In August 2021, Archer had gone under the knife for an elbow injury. The injury prevented him from participating in the second leg of IPL Season 14. The recurring injury then forced him out of the T20 World Cup 2021 as well as the following Ashes.
As things stand, Archer isn’t expected to resume full-time cricketing responsibilities until the end of this year.
