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Jofra Archer’s injury-hit Mumbai Indians stint recalled after England T20 World Cup call-up

Kaushik Kashyap

Jofra Archer for Mumbai Indians. [Source - IPL.com]Jofra Archer for Mumbai Indians. [Source - IPL.com]

When England named Jofra Archer in their provisional squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup on Tuesday, it reignited debate over his fitness and the risks of relying on a player whose body has repeatedly struggled under pressure and workload.

Memories of his injury-hit stint with Mumbai Indians in the 2022–23 IPL quickly resurfaced. During that period, Archer’s frequent absences and persistent injury woes turned him from a marquee signing into an expensive liability, highlighting the risks of relying on fragile talent.

That chapter now serves as a clear contrast to England’s continued faith, and a reminder of how costly his injuries can be in the high-pressure marquee events like that of an IPL and T20 World Cup.

The Jofra Archer gamble that backfired for Mumbai Indians

It all started in the 2022 IPL mega auction where Mumbai Indians bought Jofra Archer for INR 8 crore, despite him being unavailable for the 2022 edition due to injury. The five-time champions were willing to invest heavily, hoping to form a deadly pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah and make Archer a key spearhead.

Jofra Archer’s journey with the Mumbai franchise had begun earlier in MI Cape Town during the SA20 in early 2023, where he played six games and took 10 wickets after recovering from his injury, showcasing glimpses of his raw pace and match-winning ability before transitioning to the IPL actions.

Arriving in the 2023 IPL spotlight, Archer struggled to find rhythm and match fitness, limiting his early impact. Midway through the season, another elbow setback required surgery, ruling Archer out entirely. For Mumbai Indians, the gamble backfired, as his availability issues disrupted team balance, making him a costly liability despite his undeniable talent.

England’s unwavering belief on Archer

Despite his IPL struggles, England have been remarkably patient with Jofra Archer. He made his Test comeback earlier this year against India after four years and played in the Ashes in Australia, where he was expected to be a decisive force for England.

However, the Ashes didn’t go as planned, with three back-to-back defeats and Archer eventually ruled out of the last two Tests due to a side strain. Yet, England have again shown faith, including him in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, reflecting long-term belief despite his ongoing injury woes and history.

Mumbai Indians misstep with Archer a warning for England

Jofra Archer’s career now sits at the intersection of brilliance and uncertainty. His Mumbai Indians stint stands as a warning of what happens when fitness timelines fail, while his England recall shows how far teams are willing to go for exceptional talent.

As the road to the 2026 T20 World Cup unfolds, Archer’s story remains unfinished. Whether he proves England right or repeats the frustrations of his IPL days with Mumbai Indians will depend on one opponent he has never fully beaten, his own body.