Jofra Archer is absent from Mumbai Indians' line-up for the high-profile IPL match against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday evening. ESPNcricinfo has learned that Archer experienced discomfort in his right elbow immediately after his first game of the season
against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 2.
Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai captain, when asked by Ravi Shastri at the toss about injuries replied, "one injury." But then quickly corrected himself to say, "not an injury actually. More of a precaution" before confirming that Archer was sitting out.
It is understood that Archer has not bowled since that match although he did turn up for one of Mumbai's training sessions this week. He travelled with the rest of the squad but warmed up away from his team-mates, undergoing short running and throwing drills.
Mumbai bought Archer for INR 8 crore (USD 1.07 million approx) last year, even though they knew he wouldn't be able to play IPL 2022. Saturday's game was his debut for the franchise having previously represented Rajasthan Royals. He went wicketless, giving away 33 runs in his four-overs spell as Royal Challengers cruised to victory.
Having broken onto the scene as a generational talent, Archer suffered a
major injury setback in 2021 when he began to have trouble with the same right elbow that is causing concern now. The England fast bowler had to undergo two operations for it, putting him out of action for 18 months. He had only just returned to cricket in January this year, playing for another Mumbai franchise, in the SA20. In total, Archer has played 10 T20s and four ODIs since his comeback. The 28 year-old has been careful about doing too much too soon and is already seeing the possibility of playing anything more than one Ashes Test - the five-match series begins on June 16 - as a bonus.
Super Kings without Stokes and Moeen
Ben Stokes, Archer's England captain, was also ruled out of Saturday night's fixture. Stokes said earlier this week that he had bowled "pain-free" during
Super Kings' victory over Lucknow Super Giants on Monday night, but reports emerged on Friday night that he had a sore heel after training. Stokes has been very clear that he wants to be fit and ready for the new English summer, which begins with a Test against Ireland on June 1 and leads into the Ashes.
MS Dhoni, the CSK captain, did not specify the nature or extent of Stokes' injury at the toss. Like Archer, Stokes travelled to the Wankede on Saturday night but took minimal part in the team's warm-ups.
A third England player,
Moeen Ali, was also ruled out of the game due to illness. Moeen played in both of Super Kings' first two matches of the 2023 season and addressed a press conference on Friday evening, but Dhoni said he was "not well" at the toss.
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