Watch: Jofra Archer Bowls for Karnataka XI Against Sussex And Breaks Off-Stump

England fast bowler Jofra Archer is in India.

But not for IPL 2024. Archer, who opted out of the auction last year, is in Bengaluru with Sussex cricket club as part of their pre-season tour before the start of the County Championship on April 5.

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On Friday, Sussex played against a Karnataka State Cricket Association XI, a contest part of their tour. The club shared a few clips from from the contest from Day 2 with Archer turning out for KSCA XI.

Archer trapped a Sussex batter LBW and then clean bowled showing signs he might be returning to full fitness having not played competitive cricket since May 2023.

Archer’s competitive career has been significantly impacted by a series of injuries. Despite that, he was handed a contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

To get back to full fitness, the 28-year-old was also withdrawn from the IPL auction last December despite the fast bowler keen to take part.

MI had bought Archer for a whopping Rs 8 crore at the IPL mega auction in February 2022 despite the fact he was to miss the entire season on account of fitness issue.

Archer did play for the five-time champions in IPL 2023 but appeared only in four matches before returning home with an elbow injury.

Later that year, he was named as a reserve in England squad for the ODI World Cup.

Eventually, MI released him ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.

While it’s not known when Archer will make his international return, England white-ball captain Jos Buttler remains optimistic with just three months remaining for the T20 World Cup.

“For Jofra, we all know just what a special cricketer he is and it’s been a tough few years for him not being able to get on the park and perform, but with someone like him who is such a superstar, you’re always optimistic that with the physios and doctors working, his body will just allow him to get back where he was”, Buttler was quoted as saying by EuroSport.

“I know how hard he’s been working at it and of course how desperate he is to come back. A couple of times (I’ve spoken to him). It’s really exciting for him that hopefully he’s going to get back to performing because as a captain, he’s someone you want to throw the ball to,” he added.