Rajasthan Royals’ Jofra Archer likely to miss IPL 2021 due to elbow injury

England pacer Jofra Archer might miss the upcoming Indian Premier League beginning April 9 in order to be fit to play for the national team, according to UK media reports.

Archer could need a third injection on a troublesome right elbow, which could lead to him missing the IPL this time and not being available for the Rajasthan Royals, reported UK daily The Telegraph. 

This would be a major shock for the Rajasthan Royals, who finished IPL 2020 at the bottom of the points table and would want to make a strong comeback. 

Archer was last seen on Saturday during the fifth and final T20I between India and England. Following the match, England captain Eoin Morgan said in the press conference that Archer’s injury had “definitely gotten worse,” according to ESPN Cricinfo.

Morgan said, “We’re not quite sure yet. We’re going to wait until tonight and tomorrow to see how Jofra has pulled up. He’s clearly had a progressive injury that has become worse and does need attention, so it’ll be over to our medical team to make a decision and hopefully the decision that Jofra comes to will be the best for us in the long term.”

He added, “I think it’s rare when a bowler isn’t managing pain – what they do is a tough job and if you ask any of them, are they ever pain-free, it’s a pretty rare instance if they say yes. Most of our bowlers are normally carrying niggles but certainly Jofra’s situation has definitely got worse, so it does need attention.”