English fast bowler Jofra Archer will be leaving the Indian Premier League (IPL) with immediate effect to focus on his rehabilitation, according to a statement by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday. Archer, who has been struggling with a right elbow injury, will return to the United Kingdom this week to work on his rehab with the ECB medical department and Sussex County Cricket Club.
The ECB statement revealed that Archer has been recovering from right elbow surgery, but pushing through the discomfort while playing recently has been a challenge. Therefore, it has been agreed for him to return to the UK for a period of rest and rehabilitation to give him the best opportunity for a full recovery.
The 28-year-old, who has played five games for the Mumbai Indians this season, has struggled to make an impact, taking just two wickets and conceding 9.50 runs per over. Archer featured in Mumbai's opening game of the season before being sidelined for the next four games due to soreness in his elbow.
The injury has kept Archer in and out of the playing XI, and he was forced to fly to Belgium for minor surgery. His struggles with the injury have also impacted his performance, and he has failed to live up to the expectations of fans and the team management.
Replacing Archer in the Mumbai Indians squad is Chris Jordan, who was picked for INR 2 Crore at the auction. Jordan had gone unsold at the December auction but was picked up as a replacement for Archer. The 32-year-old has played 28 IPL games so far with a tally of 27 wickets.
Jordan has represented England in 87 T20Is and has scalped 96 T20I wickets. He made his IPL debut in 2016 and has played for Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Archer's withdrawal from the IPL is a blow for the Mumbai Indians, who are already struggling in the ongoing season. The team is currently at the bottom of the IPL points table, having won just two out of their seven games. Archer's injury has also raised concerns for the ECB, as the bowler is a crucial part of England's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in October-November 2021.