India legend Sunil Gavaskar has lashed out at Jofra Archer for flying back to the United Kingdom (UK), abandoning his Mumbai Indians' (MI) teammates in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
The England international was bought by MI for a whopping Rs 8 crore in the 2022 IPL mega auction, despite knowing that the bowler is not fully fit and had been out of international cricket for close to two years as he was nursing a back injury.
After playing MI's campaign opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) he complained of pain in his right elbow. Thereafter, it was reported that Archer had flown to Belgium for a minor procedure on his elbow but he hit back at those suggestions and claimed they are devoid of facts.
However, it was soon evident that his injury was serious and MI released a statement confirming that the pacer would fly back to England to continue his rehabilitation.
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What did Sunil Gavaskar say about Jofra Archer?
Gavaskar was not impressed with Archer as he flew back to England and launched a scathing attack on the fast bowler in his column for Mumbai daily Mid-Day.
"What has been Mumbai Indians’ experience of Jofra Archer? They took a punt on him, knowing that he was injured and would be available only from this season. They paid big money for him, and what has he given in return? He didn’t seem 100 per cent fit, and he should have informed the franchise about it.
"They only realised when he turned up and found that he could barely bowl at his usual pace. In between the tournament, he went abroad for treatment which is what his country’s cricket board apparently said. So he was never fully fit, but still came over. If he was committed to the franchise, who probably pay him more than the ECB does, he should have stayed right till the end even if he wasn’t going to play and show his commitment towards the franchise. Instead, he has opted to fly off back to the UK,” Gavaskar further added.
Archer has been excluded from England’s Ashes squad for the five-Test series against Australia and it is still not known when he will get back to full fitness. However, there were reports that the MI franchise will sign him a year-long contract. If it is accepted then the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will then have to seek permission from the franchise to allow him to select him for the national team again.
"A day later, a story appears that he is going to get a multi-million-pound deal with Mumbai Indians to play for their team in the various leagues in the world. This has got to be the greatest diversionary trick attempted. Mumbai Indians are not fools to sign a lame horse for any future race. Make no mistake, Mumbai Indians won’t be amused at the turn of events. Now that they have come back well in the tournament without his presence, he will be lucky if he gets his full fee for the IPL, and if he does, then he would do well to give half to his favourite charity.
"There’s simply no point paying even one rupee for a player, however big a name he may be if he is not going to be available for the entire tournament. It’s got to be the player’s choice to pick playing for an IPL franchise or his country. Full marks to him if he chooses country over IPL, but if he chooses IPL then he has to fulfil his commitments totally and not make some excuse and leave early, especially towards the time when qualifying for the Playoffs becomes crucial," he stated.
How did Jofra Archer perform in the 2023 IPL?
Archer played only five games for Mumbai Indians and picked two wickets at an economy rate of 9.50.
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