‘What has he given in return?’ - Sunil Gavaskar's critical remarks on Jofra Archer's campaign with Mumbai Indians

The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 has been a season to forget for English pacer Jofra Archer. The 28-year-old was roped in by Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2022 auction for INR 8 crore. However, he missed the IPL 2022 due to a long-term injury, and his 2023 campaign was recently halted as well due to a fracture in his elbow.

Mumbai’s investment in the star pacer has only gone downhill ever since he was brought in. Over the course of his two years, in MI, Archer played five matches (all of them in 2023) and only managed to take two wickets. Seeing his performances so far, and him leaving the IPL midway due to an injury, former Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar came to the front and scrutinised Archer. He even opined that they should not pay even one rupee to him. 

"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 this season. They paid big money for him, and what has he given in return? He didn't seem 100 percent fit, and he should have informed the franchise about it," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.

"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 added.

Mumbai’s injury woes were bad enough to begin with, missing the services of ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and they now miss out on Archer as well. With the five-time champions gearing up to make it to the knockout stages of the competition, the absence of key bowlers could prove disastrous for the side.