Why is Jofra Archer Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match Between MI and RCB at the Wankhede Stadium?

Mumbai Indians have made three changes to their Playing XI for Indian Premier League 2023 Match 54 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium. Confirmed by captain Rohit Sharma at the toss, batter Tristan Stubbs and pacers Arshad Khan and Jofra Archer won’t be taking the field tonight.

Sharma, who won the toss, didn’t hesitate before electing to bowl first in this match. Readers must note that three (including two for MI) out of four IPL 2023 matches at this venue have been won by the team batting second.

“We are going to bowl first. It’s been good for us. We have chased down targets here. Looks like a typical Mumbai pitch with even grass covering and also a few patches. Not sure how it’s going to play but we are hoping for the best,” Sharma told host broadcaster Star Sports Network at the toss.

Why is Jofra Archer Not Playing Today vs RCB?

The development has resulted in opportunities for spinner Kumar Kartikeya and fast bowlers Chris Jordan and Jason Behrendorff. Two overseas pacers are playing primarily because of Archer getting ruled out of the tournament.

Archer, whose two wickets across five matches had come at an economy and strike rate of 9.5 and 60 respectively, has returned home to focus on rehabilitation as his recovery and fitness will be monitored by the ECB (England Cricket Board) from hereon. Archer, who had been missing matches regularly in the season, is yet to completely recover from a right elbow surgery.

Much like Sharma, RCB captain Faf du Plessis also wanted to field first on Tuesday. “Generally, you chase here because of the nature of this ground. Big score always creates the scoreboard pressure,” du Plessis told Star Sports at the toss.

The two changes for the visitors have come in the form of pacers Harshal Patel and Vijaykumar Vyashak coming in for batter Kedar Jadhav and spinner Karn Sharma. Sharma, however, could be included as an Impact Player in the second innings.

Chris Jordan IPL Stats

Named as Archer’s replacement, Jordan is making his debut for Indians in this match. Unsold in the auction, the 34-year old player is participating in an IPL season for the seventh time in his career.

Previously, Jordan has represented Royal Challengers (2016), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2017-2018), Punjab Kings (2020-2021) and Chennai Super Kings (2022). In 29 IPL matches, Jordan has dismissed 27 batters at an average of 30.85, an economy rate of 9.32 and a strike rate of 19.85.