5 Bowlers who can replace Jofra Archer in Rajasthan Royals

Jofra Archer underwent surgery to remove glass fragments from a tendon on his right hand after a freak fish tank accident. The injury occurred in January when Archer was at his home. Archer played 2 Tests and 5 T20Is in India and that didn’t help the cause.

Rajasthan Royals will miss the pace and variations of Jofra Archer for a good part of IPL will miss the start of the Indian Premier League and his availability will be based on clearance from the medical team.

Let’s have a look at the possible bowlers who can replace Jofra Archer in case of unavailability!

1. Nathan Ellis

The Aussie pacer was impressive in his Big Bash League stints and like Archer he has the skill to clear the park with the bat. Ellis’ bowling partner Riley Meredith made it to the Punjab Kings squad in the auction while Ellis went unsold.

In the 2020-21 BBL season – the 26 year old right arm pacer picked 20 wickets in 14 matches including his career best figures of 4-34.

Ellis got the pace to cause problems to the batsmen and is known for execution in death overs which is what Royals will miss in the absence of Jofra Archer.

2. Oshane Thomas

West Indies pacer Oshane Thomas represented the Royals in IPL 2019 where he picked 5 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 15.80 and an economy rate of 7.90.

The 24 year old right arm pacer troubled batsmen around the world with his pace and bounce. His wicket taking ability and familiarity with the Royals set up can work in his favor to replace Archer.

3. Jason Behrendorff

The left arm pacer from Australia played for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019 – the year in which they lifted the trophy. He played 5 matched and picked 5 wickets. Jason Behrendorff is known to be a very vicious bowler with the new ball – a trait Archer is equipped with.

Jason Behrendorff has a impressive T20 record with 90 wickets in 77 innings – bowling at an economy rate of 7.20 runs per over and a bowling average of 22.27.

4. Fidel Edwards

The 39-year-old pacer recently made his West Indies come back and is still cranking up the pace and posing questions to batsmen. His longevity is a testament to his work out discipline. The round-arm action in itself has found fans around the world since his playing days.

Fidel Edwards’ ability to york and bounce the opposition at will makes him a very lethal prospect. Edwards has 106 T20 wickets to his name at an average of 27.00 with a best of 5-22 – His career economy rate of 7.73 is impressive given he bowls at Powerplay and at the slog overs. His wicket taking ability when the batsmen are on the offensive grabs attention of the franchises.

Last time Fidel Edwards played in a IPL season, his team Deccan Chargers lifted the trophy. He was also a part of Rajasthan Royals unit though he didn’t get any match time back then.

5. Tim Southee

Tim Southee might not have had a pleasant IPL record but his experience is invaluable. Rajasthan Royals will need a pacer who can deliver in crunch situations in the absence of Jofra Archer.

With over 200 wickets in T20 cricket and with the ability to produce some cameos with the bat, the Kiwi pacer is not a bad bet. Southee represented Royals in the past in 2014 & 2015.

Honorable Mentions

Proteas pacer Morne Morkel could be in contention with his return to T20 cricket in Big Bash League last season. He packs a solid IPL track record and could be a valuable asset to RR ambitions. Billy Stanlake is another right arm pacer who can use his height to good effect. His limited experience with Sunrisers Hyderabad over past few seasons can come handy.

Mitchell McClenaghan is another experienced IPL bowler who can provide the much needed balance with lower order batting and crunch over delivery. Another left arm pacer who was unsold this season was Sheldon Cottrell who faced the Tewatia effect at the auction – Cottrell is a quality pacer and has made huge improvements over a period of time. He can provide the much needed oomph factor that RR would need in the absence of Jofra Archer!