At the auction for the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL), five-time champion Mumbai Indians acquired the services of English pacer Jofra Archer for eight crore rupees. However, the 28-year-old has been ineffective in Mumbai. Archer’s first season with Mumbai was lost to a lengthy injury. However, he made his long-awaited return in the IPL in 2023.
The pacer played five matches for Mumbai in the IPL 2023, taking two wickets before suffering another injury in the guise of an elbow stress fracture. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed after Archer’s injury that he would miss the English summer, which included the highly anticipated Ashes series.
With rumors circulating that the Mumbai Indians offered Archer a one-year contract, which would require the franchise’s permission for England to employ the pacer, former England captain Kevin Pietersen stated that Archer’s time with the national team could be coming to an end.
“I’m devastated for Jofra.
Completely devastated. I believe this will be the end of his English cricket career. I am aware of rumors surrounding a franchise agreement, and he would be wise to pursue one at this time. Take six months to rehabilitate, then bowl at the speed of light for a few months of the year. He would earn a substantial income and continue to play the game,” Kevin Pietersen wrote in his Betway journal.
Archer has participated in 13 Tests for England, during which he has claimed 42 wickets. However, the 28-year-old has not played a Test match since 2021, and if he does make a recovery, the ace pacer will have to wait longer.
Before tackling Australia, England will play Ireland in a one-off Test beginning on June 1. Before beginning the Ashes series against Australia managed by Pat Cummins on June 16.
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