After playing the Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2023 campaign opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Jofra Archer missed out four straight games for his franchise before taking the field against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 22.
Speaking on his absence, MI head coach Mark Boucher cited “a little niggle” as the reason behind it however now, it has come to light that the right-arm quick had paid a visit to an elbow specialist in Belgium and got a ‘little procedure’ done.
According to a report in The Telegraph, Archer travelled to Belgium for minor surgery, his fifth in 25 months, on his troublesome right elbow and the English daily also said that the development has been confirmed by the England and Wales CricketBoard (ECB).
“The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that Archer had visited his specialist in Belgium. It is understood that, after assessment by the specialist, Archer underwent what sources describe as ‘a minor procedure’, before returning to India,” the report said.
Notably, the England pacer got back in action for MI on Saturday against Punjab and bowled all his quota of four overs. During the game, he also clicked 145kmph at regular intervals. Archer was then rested for the next fixture against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday, which the Rohit Sharma-led side lost by 55 runs.
As per the reports, Archer will return to the field once again this weekend against Rajasthan Royals.
Meanwhile, reports also suggests that the ECB medical team is in constant touch with its counterpart in the MI camp as it has been just a few months since Archer made a comeback following stress fractures to his elbow and then his back.
Notably, Archer had a horrible time in 2021 as he suffered persistent elbow problems, which were eventually diagnosed as a stress fracture, which ruled him out of the T20 World Cup and Ashes.
However, he was signed by Mumbai Indians for a whopping sum of Rs 8 crore in the mega auctions the same year. Earlier in 2024, Archer also featured for the franchise’s Cape Town branch in the new SA20.
Significantly, Archer’s fitness is constantly being monitored as he is all set to team up with the English Test squad for the Ashes after the conclusion of the ongoing IPL season.
On the other hand, English County club Sussex has hinted that the pacer might not feature in any first-class cricket for them before the much-awaited series against Australia at home.