Rajasthan Royals pacer Jofra Archer is all set to miss entire IPL 2021 due to an elbow injury he sustained during the ongoing away series against India. Jofra Archer was retained by the franchise ahead of the player auction last December.
The pacer who has represented Rajasthan Royals in 35 matches has picked up 46 wickets at an average of 21.32 and has been the backbone of the Royals franchise since 2018 alongside the likes of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes.
Rajasthan Royals had hoped that Archer, who was named Most Valuable Player in the 2020 campaign, would play some part in the tournament after sitting out the early rounds. But although the 26-year-old returned to bowling this week with higher intensity, the ECB has confirmed that Jofra Archer is not match-ready. As a result, Rajasthan Royals will look for a replacement of Archer.
Let’s take a look at three players who can replace Jofra Archer:
Corey Anderson
The big-hitting Kiwi cricketer announced his retirement last year and is now playing franchise cricket in the UK. Anderson has signed a 3-year contract with Major League Cricket in the USA. The deal includes Anderson’s services in the Major and Minor League Cricket and coaching ventures at the cricket academies that come under the MLC.
Anderson has played for Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in the IPL in the past. With Rajasthan Royals struggling due to lack of hard-hitters in the lower-order, the Kiwi all-rounder can be a perfect foil to change their fortunes.
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Mitchell McClenaghan
The pacer from New Zealand Mitchell McClenaghan was Mumbai Indians’ first choice pacer until the likes of Trent Boult and Jason Behrendorff took charge at the Rohit Sharma led franchise. McClenaghan who made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in 2015 played 56 matches in which he picked 71 wickets at an economy of 8.49.
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The Kiwi pacer who plays just franchise cricket after having chosen to not take a central contract with New Zealand was listed at INR 50 Lakhs during the IPL 2021 auctions in which he went unsold. The left-arm could be a valuable addition for Rajasthan Royals in place of Jofra Archer.
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Oshane Thomas
The skiddy fast bowler from West Indies is considered to be one of the quickest bowlers in the World. Oshane Thomas was previously part of the Rajasthan Royals during the 2019 season where he played just 4 matches picking up 5 wickets at an economy of 7.90.
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If Rajasthan Royals decide to go with Oshane Thomas who could be a like-for-like replacement for Jofra if just the pace was taken under consideration which would also mark the homecoming for Oshane Thomas to Rajasthan Royals.
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