Mark Boucher contradicts Jofra Archer, reveals the pacer went to Belgium for elbow surgery mid-IPL 2023

Jofra Archer has played only two matches for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023.

Mumbai Indians (MI) coach Mark Boucher has confirmed that pacer Jofra Archer had gone to Belgium for elbow surgery in the middle of the ongoing IPL 2023 tournament, despite the pacer rubbishing the claims made by an English daily regarding the same.

The PA news agency had reported that: “Archer flew to Belgium to see his specialist during a near three-week absence for Mumbai, and according to the Daily Telegraph had minor surgery before going back to India.

Archer coming back into the fray at the weekend and bowling his full four-over allocation, reaching speeds of 90mph against Punjab Kings, suggests the issue is not another dramatic step back for him.”

Archer has recently tweeted and lambasted the media publication which first broke the development regarding Archer’s visit to Belgium. The Bridgetown-born had accused the English daily for publishing baseless news.

He had tweeted: “Putting out an article without knowing the facts & without my consent is crazy. Whoever 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 had played only two games for Mumbai Indians in this IPL 2023 picking one wicket which came against Punjab Kings.

“I believe it was a minor surgery”- Mark Boucher on Jofra Archer flying to Belgium

However, MI coach Mark Boucher confirmed that Archer had flown to Belgium to meet the doctor who had performed the procedure on his elbow earlier and said that it was only minor surgery and heaped praise on Archer’s bowling skills.

“Yes, he was. I believe it was a minor surgery. We all know what Jofra can do. He’s been a fantastic bowler for many years now. So, he adds a different dimension to our attack. Obviously, some good pace. He can bowl with the new ball and he’s very good at the death as well. It is one area where we’ve struggled a bit. So, he can hopefully come in and fulfil that role, bowling in those situations,” said Boucher at a press conference ahead of MI’s match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday.

When it comes to Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions of the tournament, they are currently placed in ninth place after winning only three out of their seven matches.