Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the IPL 2021 owing to a long sustained elbow injury that aggravated during the bilateral series between India and England. After all-rounder Ben Stokes, Archer is the 2nd cricketer who will miss the tournament while batter Liam Livingstone has pulled out of IPL 2021 owing to bubble fatigue.

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. The Sussex fast bowler will continue to train with the County side while the apex body will continue to monitor his progress.

Jofra Archer ruled out of IPL 2021

Incidentally, Archer had recently undergone surgery on his finger to remove the tendon from the middle finger of his right hand following which he returned to training with Sussex at Hove this week as the speedster works his way back to full fitness. England’s head coach and selector Chris Silverwood and pace bowling lead Jon Lewis were in attendance to see Archer’s progress on Thursday when the fast bowler went through a complete session of batting and bowling in the nets.

It is expected that Jofra Archer will return to cricket when England host New Zealand in a two-match Tets series starting from June 2. But before then Archer will successfully need to come through a second XI match for Sussex before proving his fitness.

Rajasthan Royals are currently toiling at the last spot in the points table with one win from four outings. The Royals next face Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 24 (Saturday).