To Be Honest, If I Did Go To India I Probably Would Have Been Home Early: Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer, the England and Rajasthan Royals speedster, says had he gone to play the IPL 2021 in India, he would have pulled out of it much earlier, considering the critical covid-19 situation in the country.

Last week the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the 14th edition of the tournament after covid-19 cases were reported in four franchises. 29 out of 56 league games were played out when the season was halted; the board is eyeing to complete the remainder of the tournament in the pre or post T20 World Cup window.

Jofra Archer, who was ruled out of the season owing to his hand and elbow injuries, expressed his sadness over the dire condition of people in India, as the country records over 400,000 cases for the last week. He says while it was a hard decision to miss out on the tournament for the Royals, he would have returned back home earlier.

“It’s terrible in India at the moment and to be honest, if I did go to India, I probably would have been home early, anyway, but I think that’s just how it’s gone. I feel hopefully when if it does reschedule for this year, hopefully I’ll be able to go again but it was a hard decision to not go to India,” Jofra Archer said on Sussex’s YouTube channel.

If I’m fit, I guess I will play in the Test series: Jofra Archer

The pacer has made his return from injury via a County Championship clash with Kent. Bowling for Sussex, Jofra Archer picked two wickets in his opening spell indicating his return to fitness. He is eyeing his return to international cricket in the home 2-Test series against New Zealand starting next month.

“It’s great to play again with the [Sussex] lads who I’ve played with nearly all of my career. My fitness is fine, I thought I bowled okay. I played in the second team last week and it’s good to get some confidence and I felt fine,” the 2019 World Cup winner told the ECB Reporters’ Network.

I bowled in short spells for protection in case we had a long day but it was overcast, which helped a bit. There was a bit of management, but it all worked out. With the [elbow] injury I have tried not to get too frustrated. If I’m fit, I guess I will play in the Test series and I feel alright,” Jofra Archer further stated.

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