Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar lambasted England speedster Jofra Archer for not playing the entire season for the five-time champions as he was ruled out of the tournament halfway through the league stage. The 28-year-old has played only 5 games for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 and could not make an impact for the team.
With frequent prone to injuries, Archer won’t play in any of the Ashes matches against Australia, which will begin at Edgbaston on June 16. However, there is still a chance that he will be able to participate in England’s 50-over World Cup title defence in India.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Sunil Gavaskar was not happy with Jofra Archer’s frequent injuries woes, as the five-time champions spent huge money on the England star, but he could not make a difference for the team in this edition of IPL 2023 and feels that he should have stayed with the team right throughout the tournament to show his commitment to the franchise.
“What has been Mumbai Indian’s experience of Jofra Archer? They took a punt on him knowing that he was injured and would be available only from this season. They paid big money for him and what has he given in return? He didn’t seem 100 per cent fit and he should have informed the franchise about it.
“So he was never fully fit but still came over. If he was committed to the franchise, which probably pays him more than the ECB does, he should have stayed right till the end even if he wasn’t going to play, and show his commitment towards the franchise. Instead, he has opted to fly off back to the UK,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.
Jofra Archer played five games for Mumbai Indians this IPL 2023 season, bowling his full quota in each game, picking up a couple of wickets, and conceding 9.5 runs per over. The Right-arm speedster struggled due to his fitness issues over the last couple of years and made a comeback in SA20 for MI Cape Town, but found it difficult to find his rhythm after coming back from a long injury lay-off.
He Will Be Lucky If He Gets His Full Fee For The IPL – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar reveals the reports about MI offering him a huge deal are just diversion tricks as they are not fools to sign a lame horse in their team. Earlier it was reported that Jofra Archer is being offered a multi-million-pound deal by Mumbai Indians to play leagues including the IPL throughout the year for the five-time champions.
“A day later, a story appears that he is going to get a multi-million-pound deal with Mumbai Indians to play for their team in the various leagues in the world. This has got to be the greatest diversionary trick attempted. Mumbai Indians are not fools to sign a lame horse for any future race.
Make no mistake, Mumbai Indians won’t be amused at the turn of events and now that they have come back well in the tournament without his presence, he will be lucky if he gets his full fee for the IPL, and if he does then he would do well to give half to his favourite charity.” Sunil Gavaskar added.
Jofra Archer was brought by Mumbai Indians for 8 crores in IPL 2022 mega-auction knowing that he will miss the entire season due to injury and he could not make a significant impact for his side in this edition of the Indian Premier League.