Jofra Archer out of IPL 2021

England pacer Jofra Archer who is in path to recovery for the IPL team Rajasthan Royals, is now ruled out of the entire tournament. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday confirmed this development.

Archer who underwent surgery on his middle finger and only just returned to bowling this week with high intensity will now start training with Sussex as the ECB and Sussex medical teams will continue to monitor his progress.

This comes as a huge blow to Rajasthan Royals who are already depleted with overseas resources as Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone are back home owing to injury and bubble fatigue reasons respectively. Archer was the MVP of IPL 2020 edition as he picked 20 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 6.55. He also smashed 113 runs at a strike rate of 179.36.

Jofra Archer holds a prolific record for Royals in IPL history. He played 3 seasons with the franchise and picked 46 wickets in 35 matches at an average of 21.32. He also scored 195 runs at a strike rate of 157.25.

Royals can already feel the heat as they lost 3 out of their first 4 matches of IPL 2021 and the most recent loss being by 10 wickets against RCB. They miss an express pace option as they rely on swing and some pace provided by Chris Morris.

Possible Royals Replacement

As per various sources Royals are racing against time to rope in Proteas batsman Rassie van der Dussen. A media source reported that a fitness test would take place on Monday, and if van der Dussen clears it, he can join the Rajasthan Royals camp after a mandatory quarantine period.

The Proteas batsman scored 3824 T20 runs in 120 innings at an average of 38.62, powered by a strike rate of 131.31. He scored 3 T20 centuries and 26 half centuries.