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England fast bowler Jofra Archer has made a surprising return to the IPL auction. Despite being absent from the initial shortlist sent to franchises last weekend, his name has been added back to the IPL 2025's mega auction's final auction list of players.
Jofra Archer added to final list of IPL 2025 auction
This unexpected development was confirmed to franchises on Thursday, just three days before the two-day mega auction kicks off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24. Jofra Archer's inclusion in the auction has generated significant interest among franchises. His absence from the initial shortlist, along with his England teammate Mark Wood, had raised eyebrows considering both were part of the original longlist. Archer's decision to set a maximum base price of INR 2 crore further adds to the intrigue surrounding his potential return to the IPL.
Archer and his representatives have been actively engaged in discussions with both the England and Indian Cricket Boards this week. They've been seeking clarity on the potential consequences of Archer not being included in the initial shortlist. It's important to note that Archer is currently under contract with the ECB until September, granting them a certain level of control over his workload.
Archer hasn't participated in Test cricket since early 2021. However, the English cricket team remains optimistic about his return to the format. They are particularly hopeful that he will be available for the upcoming Test series against India at home and Australia away next year.
Allowing Archer to participate in the IPL in April and May would significantly hinder his ability to play for Sussex in the early part of the County Championship season. Last year, the ECB prevented Archer from entering the auction to avoid rushing his recovery from injury. However, excluding him from this year's auction would have sidelined him from the IPL until at least 2027.
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The IPL has implemented new regulations for this auction cycle. These regulations state that players who have previously participated in the league but don't register for a mega-auction will be ineligible for the subsequent mini-auction. Additionally, players who are signed at an auction and then withdraw without a valid reason will face a two-year ban.
Jofra Archer's comeback after prolonged injury layoff
After a prolonged injury layf, the 29-year-old pacer made his comeback this summer. He featured in England's white-ball series against Pakistan, Australia, and the West Indies, as well as the T20 World Cup. Medical staff closely monitored his workload, but he was able to participate in all three ODIs in the Caribbean earlier this month. During the 2022 mega-auction, Mumbai Indians made a significant investment, spending INR 8 crore (approximately USD 1.06 million at the time) on Archer, despite his recent elbow surgery and inability to play that season. In 2023, he played five games for MI, claiming two wickets before another elbow issue forced him out of the tournament.
Archer's most impressive IPL performance came in 2020, playing for Rajasthan Royals in the UAE. He took a total of 20 wickets in that season for RR. Meanwhile, he has 48 wickets under his belt in 40 matches of IPL so far.
