Jofra Archer Opens Up On Playing The Remainder Of IPL 2021

Jofra Archer, who recently returned to action in the County Championship 2021, has opened up on the situation in India. The 26-year-old pacer was one of the star overseas players ahead of the IPL 2021 who was going to play for Rajasthan Royals. Unfortunately, an injury ruled him out of the tournament completely.

However, in a recent interaction with the Sussex Cricket YouTube channel, Archer expressed his desire to play in the IPL 2021, if the tournament rescheduled later this year. The IPL governing council (GC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season. The BCCI is keen to tap the September window before the T20 World Cup to finish the league.

Archer didn’t play a single game in the IPL 2021 but the pacer is hopeful of featuring in the tournament if it gets rescheduled.

“If I did go to India probably would have home early anyway. Hopefully, if it (IPL) does get reschedule for this year, I will be able to go again. It was a hard decision not to go to India, it was really unpredictable, I could have gone but I don’t know how many games would I have played,” said Archer on Sussex Cricket YouTube channel.

“Rajasthan Royals and England supported me in my decision. You obviously build a good relationship as I have been the Royals for the last three years. Stokes too suffered a bit, I think going over his hand and I don’t even know if he going to be ready for these Tests against New Zealand,” he added.

Notably, Archer had suffered a cut to his hand while cleaning at his home in January shortly before flying to India to prepare for the Test series. The ECB’s medical team managed the injury throughout the tour, and it did not impact his availability. A fragment of glass was removed during the operation to his middle finger on his right hand in March.

Ben Stokes Doubtful For Remaining IPL 2021

However, his team-mate Ben Stokes had recently ruled out playing in the rescheduled IPL 2021. England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes who plays for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League has hinted that he might miss the IPL 2021 if it is rescheduled. Ben Stokes in interaction with Daily Mirror also expressed his disappointment in leaving IPL 2021 earlier than expected following the injury that took place in the opening match of Rajasthan Royals.

“We don’t know if or when the tournament will be rearranged, but as the ECB have said it could be difficult for the England boys to have a free gap,” said Ben Stokes.