An elbow injury is expected to sideline Jofra Archer for the entirety of this year’s Indian Premier League, but the Mumbai Indians have landed the gun England quick with a $1.48 million bid in a daring move.
IPL contract rules will ensure Archer won’t be paid if he doesn’t play a game this season, but Mumbai’s willingness to lure the paceman with a huge sum of money points to the critical role they believe he can play over the two final years of his contract, in 2023 and 2024.
Mumbai aren’t allowed to replace Archer with a fill-in player despite his unavailability, regardless of how long his stint out of the game lasts.
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An elbow injury that required surgery has kept Archer sidelined for nearly 12 months, ruling him out of the T20 World Cup and England’s Ashes tour of Australia.
Mumbai, captained by Indian master blaster Rohit Sharma and coached by Sri Lankan batting great Mahela Jayawardene, were clearly enticed by Archer’s ability to bowl at 150 kilometres per hour and his lethal short ball.
It’s mouthwatering thinking of the prospect of Archer and superstar Indian seamer Jasprit Bumrah teaming up as Mumbai’s new-ball pair when Archer is ready to return.
“We had discussed his name in the pre-auction meetings, but firmed up on our plans … after being priced out on all the other fast bowlers,” said Indians owner Akash Ambani of Archer.
“Of course he is not available this year but we believe in the best of him, and when he is fit and available I believe that with Bumrah he will make a formidable partnership.”
Archer has taken 46 wickets at 21.33 from 35 IPL matches.
He played with the Rajasthan Royals between 2018 and 2020.
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