IPL 2021: Jofra Archer ruled out of entire tournament

The hopes of Rajasthan Royals regaining the services of their premier fast bowler, Jofra Archer, came to an end today (23rd April). The England and Wales Cricket Board has issued a statement on the fast bowler’s fitness update. The pacer will not be able to take part in the ongoing IPL.

An update on @Jofraarcher‘s fitness ?

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 23, 2021

“The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that England and Sussex bowler Jofra Archer will not play in the 2021 Indian Premier League. Archer returned to bowling this week with higher intensity, and the ECB and Sussex medical teams will continue to monitor his progress.”

“Archer will now step up his training regime starting next week and will be in full training with Sussex. It is expected that he will return to cricket in the next fortnight if he can continue to bowl and prepare pain-free,” the statement reads.

While Archer was already ruled out of the initial leg of the tournament, he was supposed to return to the league in the later stages. However, now the Royals will have to continue to fight without their pace spearhead. They had already suffered a massive setback in form of Ben Stokes. The English all-rounder has also returned home due to a finger injury.

Rajasthan currently occupy the last spot in the points table. They have won only one out of their four matches. With star players missing, their task of making it to the playoffs is tougher than ever.