'They paid big money and what has he given in return?' - Former Indian cricketer lashes out at Jofra Archer for leaving IPL 2023 midway

Mumbai Indians (MI) star speedster Jofra Archer had a poor run in the ongoing 16th edition of the Indian Premier League. The five-time champions secured his services at a whopping amount of INR 8 crores in the 2022 mega auction, however, the English fast bowler couldn’t play the 15th edition of the cash-rich league due to a serious injury.

MI were expecting a brilliant performance from Archer in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah this season but that didn’t happen as in 5 matches he was able to take only 2 wickets while conceding 190 runs at an embarrassing economy rate of 9.50. Meanwhile, former legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar slammed Archer for leaving the MI camp midway through the tournament.

"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 percent fit and he should have informed the franchise about it. They only realised when he turned up and found that he was barely able to 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, which 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 was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Mumbai Indians are not fools to sign a lame horse: Sunil Gavaskar

However, after he returned to his home, there were some reports that MI will be signing Archer for a multi-million-pound annual contract to play for the franchise in various leagues instead of playing for the national side. Gavaskar talked about the same and said that MI management aren’t fool to pay a lame horse this amount.

"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 and 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 favorite charity." he said.