In some relief to the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians, it is now being reported that star pacer Jofra Archer, whom they had signed for INR 8 crore fully aware that he won't play a part in the last season of the competition, will play the entire IPL 2023 season.
MI were already handed a bit of a setback with reports had ruled out their leading Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah out of the competition but the news of Archer being fit to play will give them a bit of confidence heading into the competition.
A report carried by Cricbuzz has claimed that while Archer will be available for the entire IPL 2023, his workload could be managed which implies he could be handed a rest in between as he returns from a injury layoff.
"He should be able to play a full part in the IPL and as always his franchisee and the ECB will manage his workload," an ECB source was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz in the same report.
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old is currently part of the England team which is competing in an ODI series against Bangladesh. He featured in the series opener on Wednesday and looked good, returning with figures of 2 for 37 in his 10-over spell. The Three Lions will play two more ODIs followed by a three-match T20I series after which Archer is expected to join MI squad.
With him arriving well in time before the tournament opener, he will most certainly be available right from Mumbai's first match which is scheduled against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 2 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Mumbai Indians had a season to forget last year where they took the wooden spoon, managing just 4 wins in their 14 games. The Rohit Sharma-led side would be determined for a strong comeback this year.