The English fast bowler Jofra Archer will not be in the Rajasthan Royals' squad for the remaining matches of the ongoing IPL, announced the England and Wales Cricket Board(ECB) on Friday. It is another huge blow to the RR's franchise as another two English men, including the prominent Ben Stokes, returned home earlier due to injury.
This decision was made after the return of the 26-year-old Archer to bowling this week with high intensity. After the operation on March 29, his hand consultant has nodded to resume the bowling training as the injury in his hand began to heal. Now, Archer will be away from the ongoing IPL, and ECB and Sussex medical teams will be monitoring 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 ECB said in a statement. "The ECB will confirm which matches he is expected to play in due course," the ECB further added.
In January, shortly before the travel to India for the Test Series earlier this year, Archer got a hand injury while cleaning his home. To ensure his availability during the Series, the ECB's medical team managed the injury.
With diminishing performance in the IPL 2021, the Rajasthan Royals was desperately in the hope of Archer being available for at least a few of the remaining matches. Kumar Sangakkara, the RR Director of Cricket, had admitted that missing Archer was a "big blow" and hoped that he would be "available at some point of time".