Ahead of the start of the 18th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), Rajasthan Royals (RR) received a big setback as star pacer Jofra Archer was spotted getting admitted to a hospital. The England fast bowler was taken to EHCC hospital in Jaipur last night on March 20 after he was reportedly feeling sick, with further complications, & weakness in limbs. The speedster also missed RR's practice for the same reason.
According to reports, it is now understood that Archer has been diagnosed with a viral infection. It is to be noted that there is no official confirmation by RR about the star pacer being hospitalized. The news was rather shared by the local media in Jaipur.
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With already Sanju Samson being played as a impact sub for RR's three games, and now the speculated news of Archer being unwell, RR's campaign in IPL 2025 season has not had a great start as they would have hoped for.
Jofra Archer hospitalized ahead of RR's first game against SRH
If Archer fails the fitness test ahead of RR's first game against SRH on Sunday, March 23, then it will leave a massive hole in RR's bowling attack. The England pacer, who was roped by RR for 12.50 Crore in the IPL mega auction was seen as the spearhead of RR's inexperienced pace attack. Besides Archer, RR have Tushar Deshpande, Fazal Farooqi, Kwena Mahapa, and Sandeep Sharma with regards to pacers.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Riyan Parag to Lead Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson to Play as Pure Batter
Archer offers valuable death bowling skills and comes with a vast repertoire, which includes toe-crushing yorkers and deadly bouncers, which the RR franchise were missing after letting go of Trent Boult in the auction. It was for RR while playing in IPL in 2020 that Archer made an impact, picking 20 wickets in 14 games. His breakthrough performance in that year earned him the MVP player that season.
RR would be hoping the latest injury to Archer is not a serious one, as the franchise would be keen to see Archer replicate his heroics of IPL 2020 edition.
