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The Barbados-born English pacer Jofra Archer was roped in by Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise for an amount of Rs 8 Crore for the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). Archer will be available for Mumbai Indians from next season and he believes that he got the money “because other teams wanted” him and at the same time he wants people to see him “me as a player and not as a price.”
Archer's comments
"I want people to know that if you don't play you don't get paid. I want people to see me as a player and not as a price like that behind me. You only got that money because other teams wanted you," said Archer while making his first public comment since being signed at the mega IPL auction.
At the mega IPL auction, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians were found to be involved in a dramatic bidding war for Archer. While recalling that experience, the 26-year-old pacer shared an interesting anecdote.
"I had to go on IPL website to see the video of it. I was training. Then my phone started to go up, back to back messages. I think SRH and MI team went for me. When I saw my phone, I knew exactly what happened. I really got excited.
“It's a great franchise. Mahela (Jayawardene, the MI coach) was my first franchise coach as well. Polly (Kieron Pollard) as well, played a few games against him. This is the first time ever I will be playing in the same team with him. Really excited to get started," recalled Archer.
A chance to bat
Archer also shared his thoughts on IPL as he believes IPL gives him an opportunity “to bat.”
"It is (IPL) an opportunity to bat. You may not necessarily get the opportunity to bat at your club or country. You may not get a lot in the game, but you always have enough time to bat in the nets. No one chases you at the nets. You can always come back and bat again. To me that helps my batting.”
Mumbai Indians will play their first match of the 15th edition of IPL on March 27 against the Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals (DC).
