Jofra Archer ruled out of IPL 2021

England fast-bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Archer represents Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the cash-rich league and was expected to feature for the franchise in the ongoing 2021 season. However, the 26-year-old sustained an injury on his middle finger, ruling him out of the initial stages of the edition. He underwent surgery on his middle finger, returning to bowling with higher intensity. This raised hopes of Archer making an appearance in the remaining matches of IPL 2021. However, a statement by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has dashed the hopes of the RR fans.

“Archer returned to bowling this week with higher intensity, and the ECB and Sussex medical teams will continue to monitor his progress. Archer will now step up his training regime starting next week and will be in full training with Sussex. It is expected that he will return to cricket in the next fortnight if he can continue to bowl and prepare pain-free. The ECB will confirm which matches he is expected to play in due course,” read the statement by ECB.

Archer would’ve had to serve a mandatory seven-day quarantine period, in case of a late appearance in IPL 2021. This would have disrupted his preparation and bowling build-up, resulting in both Royals and the England pacer mutually taking the decision.

RR have won only one game out of a total of four so far. That win was recorded against Delhi Capitals (DC), with Jaydev Unadkat and Chris Morris the heroes for the franchise.

The Rajasthan-based franchise has not won any edition of the cash-rich league, following their triumph in the inaugural edition. Archer’s absence along with the likes of Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone getting ruled out certainly does not seem like a development in the right direction.

RR take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their next league encounter of IPL 2021. The Rajasthan based franchise failed to get the better of KKR in both matches last season.