MI speedster Jofra Archer hits out at fake news of him skipping IPL 2023 to visit elbow specialist in Belgium

Jofra Archer (Source: Twitter)

Mumbai Indians (MI) star pacer Jofra Archer debunked the fake news that he had paid a visit to an elbow specialist in Belgium during the ongoing Indian Premier League. The English pacer was sidelined for more than a year owing to an elbow injury before returning to the field in IPL 2023. However, after the first game of MI, Archer was absent for four games in a row, leading to suspicions and media reports that he travelled abroad to visit a specialist.

The majority of the mainstream news media spread false information, claiming that the right-arm fast bowler underwent minor surgery after experiencing discomfort in a joint and needed two operations.

Archer was part of the MI pace attack in their opening match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on 2 April. However, he did not play in four consecutive matches after that and then appeared in the match against Punjab Kings on 22 April.

In a strongly-worded tweet on Wednesday, April 26, the 28-year-old expressed his disappointment at not getting his side of the story before the news was published.

"Putting out an article without knowing the facts & without my consent is crazy. Who ever the reporter is shame on you , an already worrying and troubling time for a player and you exploit it for your personal gain, it’s people like you that are the problem," Archer wrote on his Twitter account.

Here's Jofra Archer's strongly worded Tweet on the Fake news: 

Putting out an article without knowing the facts & without my consent is crazy.

Who ever the reporter is shame on you , an already worrying and troubling time for a player and you exploit it for your personal gain, it’s people like you that are the problem .

— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) April 26, 2023

Jofra Archer is yet to shine in IPL 2023

With Jasprit Bumrah out for the entire season, MI had high hopes of Archer leading their pace attack from the front. But the right-arm pacer has yet to shine as he has picked up just one wicket this season. Archer returned wicketless in his first match against RCB, in which his team lost by eight wickets.

The Barbadian cricketer's only wicket came against PBKS, but conceded 42 runs in his four overs as MI lost the game by 13 runs. The franchise has won just three of their first seven games this season and it is crucial for them to get back to winning ways as they cannot afford to miss out on a playoff berth for back-to-back years.

MI would hope that Archer plays the remaining seven games and he will return to form. Their next game is against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at home on Sunday, April 30.