Jofra Archer was roped in for INR 8 crore on the second day of the IPL 2022 mega auction in Bengaluru. Ever since the mega auction last month, the biggest question for Mumbai Indians’ fans has been over the availability of England pace sensation Jofra Archer for the impending 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the 26-year-old broke his silence during his recent interview with the franchise.
Fans and analysts of the game were left excited over the bowling combination of two white-ball stalwarts -England’s Jofra Archer and India’s unorthodox pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Jofra Archer Clarifies He Will Play IPL From 2023 Season But Confirmed He Has Progressed Faster Than Thought
However, in a recent interview with the franchise, Jofra Archer clarified that he would only be able to join the franchise for the 16th season as he continues to recover from his elbow injury.
“As it stands, it was always going to be next year. But I think I have progressed a bit faster than we all thought we would have 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 want to disappoint anyone. So I’m going to say next year,” he said.
“I am really excited to get started with MI – it is a great franchise. Mahela Jayawardene was one of my first coaches, we have the likes of Polly (Pollard) – I have played a few games against him, this is probably the first time I will play with him. I am hoping to start winning games and trophies soon,” Archer told Mumbai Indians’ social media handles.
“MI looks very close-knit and family-oriented and such teams always do well. That’s why it is no surprise that we have won five titles. Polly’s been there 10 years, Malinga was there a long time, the same with Rohit too. These things make you feel safe when you come into the team as a new player,” Jofra explained.
“The change of environment is good because you then get to challenge yourself. It is all right to perform in your comfort zone but when you actually go away and start performing in a different team, in a different setting, only then can you probably start rating yourself,” felt Jofra.
“I think you need to be calm as a fast bowler because you have to know when to step it up and when to tone it down. Being calm allows me to just make better decisions. Bowling also doesn’t really change much according to conditions, you just have to know when and where to use your variations,” he said.
Jofra Archer has been out of action for almost a year now. He was slated for a comeback in the West Indies Test series but had to go under the knife for the second time in December last year for his recurring stress fracture in his elbow. Jofra Archer will miss IPL 2022 due to his elbow injury.
Ishan Kishan (Rs 15.25 crore), Tim David (Rs 8.25 crore), Jofra Archer (Rs 8 crore), Dewald Brevis (Rs 3 crore), Daniel Sams (Rs 2.6 crore), Tymal Mills (Rs 1.5 crore), Jaydev Unadkat (Rs 1.3 crore), Riley Meredith (Rs 1 crore), Fabian Allen (Rs 75 lakh) were some of Mumbai Indian’s buys at IPL 2022 auctions.
Hemang Amin, IPL CEO Had Informed Jofra Archer’s Unavailability During IPL 2022
Jofra Archer’s non-participation in IPL 2022 and availability for the 2023 and 2024 season was earlier revealed by IPL chief operating officer Hemang Amin ahead of the auction.
“The ECB has registered Jofra Archer for the auction with a view to potential participation in 2023 and 2024, as due to his current injury it is unlikely that he can participate in IPL 2022,” Amin had informed the franchises ahead of the auction.
“Therefore, his name has been included in the auction list, but he won’t feature in the marquee or other sets to be presented.
“He will be available to be called during the accelerated auction and whoever picks him will not get a replacement player for IPL 2022 season for his place as he is already injured and unlikely to participate in IPL 2022 season.”
Jofra Archer has picked up 46 wickets in 35 IPL games so far at an average of 21.3 and has an impressive economy rate of 7.13 despite bowling the tough overs.
Mumbai Indians will be the second team Jofra Archer will play for in the IPL after Rajasthan Royals, where he played for three seasons.