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    Jofra Archer Returns to IPL Auction List Amid Speculation
Jofra Archer Returns to IPL Auction List Amid Speculation
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Jofra Archer Returns to IPL Auction List Amid Speculation

England pacer Jofra Archer has been reinstated to the final IPL auction lineup after his name was notably absent from the initial shortlist sent to franchises last weekend. Sources reveal that franchises were informally notified of Archer’s inclusion on Thursday, just three days before the mega auction scheduled for November 24 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Although the IPL has yet to announce this update publicly, Archer's addition has sparked interest among franchises, especially as he joins the first set of fast bowlers (Set 6) slated for bidding on the opening day. Initially omitted alongside England teammate Mark Wood, Archer’s absence raised questions since both were part of the original longlist. Archer, who set his base price at INR 2 crore, was a surprising omission given his credentials.

Discussions between Archer’s representatives, the ECB, and the BCCI reportedly took place this week to address concerns about his exclusion. As an ECB centrally contracted player until September, Archer’s availability is subject to workload management. Despite not featuring in Test cricket since early 2021, England remains optimistic about his return to the format next year for series against India and Australia. 

"Everything is going exactly to plan for Jofra," managing director Rob Key told the Sunday Times last week. "Can he play Tests next summer? With all my fingers crossed, yes."

However, participating in the IPL could complicate his schedule, potentially ruling him out of early County Championship fixtures for Sussex. The ECB’s decision to block Archer from last year’s auction aimed to prevent him from rushing back post-injury, but repeating that move this year would have barred him from IPL auctions until 2027 under the league's updated rules. These regulations stipulate that players absent from the mega-auction cannot register for mini-auctions and may face a two-year ban for withdrawing without valid reasons.

Returning to competitive cricket this summer, Archer featured in white-ball series against Pakistan, Australia, and the West Indies, as well as the T20 World Cup. His performances, carefully managed by medical staff, included playing all three ODIs in the Caribbean earlier this month. Archer also appeared in five games for Mumbai Indians in 2023 before his season was cut short due to recurring elbow issues. Despite injuries, his 2020 IPL season with Rajasthan Royals—where he claimed 20 wickets and was named MVP—remains a career highlight.

In addition to Archer’s reinstatement, two more players have been added to the auction list: USA fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar (Player 575) and Mumbai wicketkeeper-batter Hardik Tamore (Player 576). With these updates, excitement around the IPL auction continues to build.

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