IPL 2023: Jofra Archer May Not Play All the League Games for MI

England and Mumbai Indians speedster Jofra Archer has dropped a hint on his availability for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023), saying that he might not play back-to-back games in the 16th edition of the tournament. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will manage his workload throughout the competition. As per a report, ECB has instructed Mumbai Indians to keep a check on England’s premier pacer’s workload in this year’s IPL.

Earlier the ECB and IPL officials confirmed that Archer will be playing the full IPL for his franchise and the ECB will manage his workload. This is a precautionary measure from ECB to keep their strike bowler fit and available for the five-match Ashes series and ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, scheduled to take place later this year at home. One of England’s most valuable all-format players of the current lot, Archer will be important for England’s chances if they want to clinch the urn and defend their world cup this year.

IPL 2023: Archer’s Workload to Be Managed by ECB and MI

Archer, who was bought for INR 8 crores in the 2022 IPL Mega Auction, missed the second part of 2021 and the entire 2022 due to injury. Unfortunately, the record IPL Champions didn’t get to witness the combo of Bumrah and Archer in action. After a long injury layoff, the Barbados-born pacer recently returned to the field marking his first appearance in 18 months by taking part in the SA20 League for Mumbai Indians’ sister franchise MI Cape Town. 

“If I’m told I’m not playing I don’t question it. Usually back-to-back games I don’t even bother to ask because I already know what the answer is. If I can play one game this summer, I’ll be happy. If I play more than one, that’s just a bonus. I haven’t lost an Ashes series as yet, so hopefully, we can keep it that way. I said 18 months ago I was going to be back, and now I am back hopefully I have a long career,” Jofra Archer said ahead of IPL 2023.

The Rohit Sharma-led team failed miserably in the 2022 edition of the IPL. They finished at the bottom of the table- 10th place. With IPL 2023 set to be played in a traditional home/away format, the five-time champions will try to turn things around this season and lift their sixth trophy. Archer will play an important role in Mumbai’s campaign and the number of matches he will play could well dictate Mumbai’s fortunes in this year’s T20 extravaganza.