IPL 2021: 5 Players Who Can Replace Jofra Archer In Playing XI For Rajasthan Royals

The preparations for the second leg of the IPL 2021 is underway. The tournament will commence in September and witness the remaining matches of the IPL 2021 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, the Rajasthan Royals franchise, which was hoping to get Jofra Archer back in the squad during the UAE leg, will have to play without the English pacer. Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the field for the entire year due to an elbow injury.

Archer played a five-match T20I series against India in March this year. Post the away series, the right-arm pacer was ruled out of the ODI series against India due to an elbow issue.

Later, he was also ruled out of IPL 2021’s first leg due to injury. He underwent surgery but unfortunately will not be able to participate in IPL 2021 second leg.

Hence, Rajasthan Royals will need to induct a powerful pacer in the playing XI to replace Jofra Archer. Here we talk about 5 players who can replace Jofra Archer in the Rajasthan Royals playing XI in IPL 2021.

IPL 2021: 5 Players Who Can Replace Jofra Archer In Playing XI For Rajasthan Royals

5. Andrew Tye

Andrew Tye is the first pacer who can replace Jofra Archer in Rajasthan Royal’s playing XI. Tye missed most of the matches in IPL 2021 first leg as he left the tournament midway due to bubble fatigue issues. However, the Australian pacer will mostly play in the second leg of IPL 2021.

Tye was the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2018 with wickets in 14 matches. So far in the tournament, Tye has picked 40 wickets in 27 matches at an average of 21.80 and an economy rate of 8.46.

4. Jaydev Unadkat

Jaydev Unadkat is another bowler who can replace Jofra Archer in the playing XI of Rajasthan Royals. The left-arm medium-pacer played 4 matches in the first leg of IPL 2021; and picked 4 wickets along with an impressive 3-wicket haul in one match which handed him the player of the match award.

Unadkat has been part of IPL since the 2010 season and has picked 85 wickets in 84 games so far. He has bowled at an average of 29.83 and an economy of 8.73.

3. Chetan Sakariya

Chetan Sakariya made his debut in IPL 2021 for Rajasthan Royals, after the franchise bought him for Rs. 1.2 crore during the auction. The left-arm pacer impressed with his 3-wicket haul in the first game and also got a chance to play for the national team during the recent Sri Lanka tour. In 7 games in the first leg, he picked 7 wickets at an average of 31.71 and 8.22.

Sakariya can be a good choice to replace Jofra Archer in the playing XI. His left-arm bowling will give an additional angle to the pace bowling. Moreover, since Sakariya is also a  new player in the tournament, his bowling will be a surprise for many batsmen and this can work in Rajasthan Royals’ favour during the UAE leg.

2. Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman made his way into the Rajasthan Royals squad for a price of Rs. 1 crore during IPL 2021 auction. The Bangladesh pacer has played in 4 seasons of IPL so far since 2016. The left-arm pacer showcased a spectacular bowling performance in the 2016 season, scalping 17 wickets in 16 clashes.

So far, he has picked 32 wickets in 31 IPL games at an average of 28.40 and an economy rate of 7.69. Rahman played 7 matches in IPL 2021 first leg and picked 8 wickets, executing a good bowling show. Rahman can be another good replacement to the Jofra Archer in Rajasthan Royals’ playing XI in the UAE leg of IPL 2021.

1. Chris Morris

Chris Morris is another player whom Rajasthan Royals can play as a replacement to Jofra Archer in the playing XI. Morris became a part of the franchise during IPL 2021 auction at the highest auction price of Rs. 16.25 crore. Although Morris is an all-rounder, he is a phenomenal seam bowler. In the first leg of the 2021 season, the South African player picked 14 wickets in 7 matches, emerging as the joint-second highest wicket-taker.

In 77 matches so far in IPL, the right-arm medium pacer has picked 94 wickets at an average of 22.79 and an economy rate of 22.79. With such great stats in bowling, Morris is definitely a powerful bowler to look up to and Rajasthan Royals can give him a permanent place in the playing XI against Jofra Archer.