Mumbai Indians (MI) jumped to the third position in the points table after defeating RCB in the 54th league match. But the side slipped to fourth place recently after the 56th match day result between RR and KKR.
After a shaky start to the season. Rohit Sharma-led MI has made strong runs and staked their claim for the playoffs. But now in the last and crucial phase of the league stage. MI’s star bowler Jofra Archer has left Mumbai and returned to his homeland.
The English spearhead missed the initial few matches of the season due to injury. But then he returned to Mumbai Indians and started bowling in the matches as well. But the England and Wales Cricket Board has decided to keep Archer given the Ashes series and the 2023 World Cup. He has been called back home to fully recover from his injury. 5-time league winners are very upset with this and have offered an annual contract to Archer. They bought for Rs 8 crore during the December auction last year.
MI vs ECB Controversy
According to a report in Daily Mail, Mumbai Indians have offered Archer a one-year contract. With this, Mumbai will try to keep Jofra Archer with them. He has been battling an elbow injury for the last three years. Although the Paltans signed Archer for Rs 8 crore in 2021 & 2022. MI is disappointed as the ECB has called him back.
Apart from IPL, Mumbai Indians also have teams in International League and South Africa League in UAE, so Mumbai Indians want to keep Jofra Archer with them for one year. Archer is currently a centrally contracted player of the England Cricket Board, so the 28-year-old cannot do such a deal with Mumbai Indians.
Mumbai Indians franchise has bought teams in UAE, Caribbean League and South Africa League. So now they want to have complete control over the players of their team. They are offering him an annual contract. Through this, players will be able to play many leagues for this franchise.
In the ongoing league, MI has moved to fourth place in the points table after RR won the 56th league match against KKR. MI will face GT in the 57th league match on Friday and MI will be eyeing to pick its 7th win of the season and move closer to the playoffs.