England fast bowler Jofra Archer has been added to the IPL 2025 auction list, days after his name was noticeably absent when a shortlist was shared with franchises. Sources confirm that Archer’s addition has been unofficially communicated to teams on Thursday, just days in front of the two-day mega auction starting on November 24 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
While an official announcement is yet to be made regarding the update in the IPL, Archer’s entry into the fast bowlers’ set will be keenly watched by franchises. For that matter, his exclusion along with fellow England pacer Mark Wood came as a surprise because both were part of the original longlist. Archer had registered at the maximum base price of INR 2 crore, underlining the high value he comes with.
Jofra Archer Set for IPL 2025 Auction: Part of the Key Fast-Bowler Set
Set 6 now has the inclusion of Archer, who is one of the seven fast bowlers. This lot will go under the hammer on the opening day of the auction, attracting much attention. Archer’s inclusion reportedly came about as a result of discussions between his representatives, the ECB, and the BCCI after questions arose about the implications of his absence.
Archer has an ECB central contract until September 2025, meaning the board has some sway over his playing commitments. England are optimistic that Archer will return to Test cricket, especially for a big series against India and Australia next summer, despite him not having played Test cricket since 2021. His availability for early County Championship games with Sussex could be complicated by a stint in the IPL, though.
Archer’s Road to the IPL
Archer, 29, has had a roller-coaster IPL career. He was purchased by Mumbai Indians for INR 8 crore at the 2022 auction despite being unavailable due to an elbow injury. In 2023, he played five matches, claiming two wickets before another injury cut his season short. Archer’s most impactful IPL performance came in 2020 when he took 20 wickets for Rajasthan Royals and was named MVP. Across 40 IPL appearances, he has taken 48 wickets.
The auction roster has surged to 576 with the addition of two more players: USA pacer Saurabh Netravalkar and Maharashtra wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore. All eyes will once again be on Jofra Archer as he re-enters the bidding spotlight.
Also, see:
IPL 2025 mega auction: 574 players gear up for Jeddah
