Jofra Archer is not featuring in the XI for the Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2025 match against the Punjab Kings in Jaipur on Sunday (May 18). Here's why.
RR, playing their first match after the resumption of the IPL, suffered a huge blow as their pace spearhead, Archer, was unavailable for selection. In his place, RR brought in South African left-arm speedster Kwena Maphaka.
On his Pink debut. Young. Fiery. Maphaka! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/kEzSlspSUE
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 18, 2025
Archer has been sidelined due to a thumb injury sustained while fielding during RR’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 4. Although initially the injury looked minor, further assessments confirmed ligament damage, ruling him out of the remaining matches of the season.
That was not the only forced change RR had to make in their squad due to an injury. Middle-order batter Nitish Rana has also been ruled out of the tournament due to a calf muscle strain. The injury occurred during training last week, and scans advised complete rest. As a replacement, 21-year-old South African prodigy Lhuan-dre Pretorius was drafted in.
"Wanted to bowl first. Let's see how it plays out today. I am okay, hundred percent fit. I would love to respect where he is batting. I will bat down the order. I come in for Nitish Rana. Maphaka comes in for Jofra Archer," RR captain Sanju Samson, back after a long injury layoff, confirmed these changes after being asked to bowl.
Archer, having been irregular in the IPL due to recurring injuries, made a homecoming to RR this season. He had a forgettable outing in the opening match, bowling the costliest IPL spell ever. However, he had done decently since then, taking 11 wickets in as many matches at an average of 32.27 and an economy of 8.55. Archer was named in England’s squad for the upcoming white-ball series against West Indies but is racing against time to be fit for the first ODI on May 29.
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