Injured Jofra Archer ruled out; MI bring this ex RCB seamer as replacement

Jofra Archer has been formally ruled out of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), with Mumbai Indians (MI) announcing their injury replacement for the ace speedster on Tuesday (May 9). The five-time champions have brought in ex Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) seamer and Archer's England teammate, Chris Jordan, for the remainder of IPL 2023. 

Archer had been dealing with a persistent elbow problem since his arrival for his first-ever stint with the most successful IPL franchise. The injury had delayed his MI association by a year already and is now cutting short what was expected to be the start of something truly special. 

The ace speedster had an abrupt campaign anyway after being able to play just five matches for MI this summer. The pacer turned out in the first four games for the Rohit Sharma-led side before the recurrence of his sustained elbow issue, for which the pacer had twice gone through surgery. 

The 28-year-old underwent a mid-IPL rehab and even though he did manage to play against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on comeback, the pacer was never 100% recovered and needed more time out of the game. As it turns out, that was curtains for Archer in IPL 2023. 

Archer to go through rehab; MI bring Jordan as replacement 

The MI franchise confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday that Jofra Archer "will return home to focus on his rehabilitation". Archer's injury wherabouts will now be closely monitored by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which had already arranged for a minor surgical procedure on his elbow in Belgium during the time he missed games for MI in IPL 2023. 

It was the third time the pacer's elbow went through the knife after forcing him out of the game for a lengthy period from the beginning of 2021 until late last year. The pacer proved his fitness upon recovery during the limited-overs series in South Africa, where he also took part in the SA20 league for MI Cape Town franchise. 

However, the recurrence of the same now leaves him in a race against time to be fit for the looming international summer, where England desparately wish for his Ashes involvement and also prime fitness and rhythm ahead of the 2023 World Cup in India. 

In the meantime, MI have brought in Jordan, his English teammate and journeyman IPL cricketer, as a replacement for the injured quick. Jordan has previously turned out for Punjab Kings (PBKS), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and notably, the RCB franchise against whom, coincidentally, MI are set to play their next league game on May 9 at the Wankhede.

Jordan, known for his death-overs prowess with the ball, has been picked by MI for the remainder of their campaign at INR 2 crores.