IPL 2020: 3 players in the Royals' squad who can replace Jofra Archer

In what will be a huge blow for Rajasthan Royals (RR), pace spearhead Jofra Archer will be out of action for three months due to a stress fracture on his right elbow. Thus, the Barbados-born speedster has been ruled out of England's tour of Sri Lanka next month and 2020 IPL which kicks-off on March 29th after scans revealed a stress fracture in his elbow. Though the team management is hopeful of witnessing Archer in Rajasthan colours at least during the latter stages of this IPL edition, it remains to be seen whether a fully-fit Archer would make his comeback before the season ends.

Nevertheless, the squad comprises quality overseas pace bowling options who could do the damage in spite of Archer's absence. Admitting that player of Archer's calibre would surely be missed, bowling coach Rob Cassell told ESPNcricinfo, "It's not easy to replace a guy who nails his yorkers and has express pace, but we have other options".

On that note, let us look at three players who can replace Jofra Archer in Rajasthan Royals XI.

#3 Tom Curran

Tom Curran began his IPL career with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2018 after being roped in as a replacement to the injured Aussie speedster Mitchell Starc. In the five matches he played throughout season eleven for the two-time winners, the Englishman took six wickets. Despite finding no buyers at 2019 IPL auction, the 25-year-old was bought at his base price of INR 1 crore by the inaugural winners Rajasthan Royals during the auction held at Kolkata on December 19th last year. With 17 wickets, Curran finished 2019 Vitality T20 Blast as Surrey's second-highest wicket-taker with his best figures being 3/3.

Also see – IPL 2020 Teams

The right-arm fast-medium bowler who has 147 T20 wickets to his name was one of the vital cogs in Sydney Sixers' title win during the recently concluded Big Bash League 2019-20, picking up 22 wickets thereby ending the tournament as the joint second-highest wicket-taker. Given his form, pace and wicket-taking abilities, Curran might be an asset for the Steven Smith-led Royals in Jofra Archer's absence. The Cape Town-born pacer must utilize this opportunity to make his mark in the IPL as well, which he couldn't do during his one-year stint at Kolkata Knight Riders.

Note: All statistics as of February 18, 2020

#2 Oshane Thomas

Representing Jamaica Tallawahs, the 23-year-old finished 2018 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as the second-highest wicket-taker with 18 scalps. This earned him an IPL contract at 2019 IPL auction where Rajasthan Royals bought him for INR 1.1 crores. Unfortunately, the 6ft 6inch pacer managed just four appearances for Rajsthan Royals last season in which he took five wickets. An exciting prospect, Oshane Thomas produced a man-of-the-match performance (4/27 vs Pakistan) in his debut World Cup game picked up nine wickets during 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The Jaipur-based franchise retaining Oshane Thomas ahead of 2020 IPL shows the faith the management has in his abilities. Having proved his credentials at the biggest stage of all and especially with Archer sidelined with an injury. The fiery pacer will be hoping to unleash his best in the upcoming edition of IPL having missed out on the opportunities last year. The exploits at 2020 IPL could change the speedster's T20I fortunes as he last played a T20I for West Indies back in August 2019 against India.

Also read | West Indies pacer Oshane Thomas discharged from hospital after car accident

#1 Andrew Tye

Owing to his poor outing last season, Andrew Tye couldn't earn a lucrative IPL contract this time as he was bought at his base price of INR 1 crore by Rajasthan Royals. The former Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions pacer had a memorable stint during his first season at Kings XI Punjab as he won the Purple Cap for the highest wicket-taker in season eleven with 24 scalps to his name (including three four-wicket hauls). Unfortunately, he couldn't replicate his magic with the ball last year for the Mohali-based outfit.

The 33-year-old is a bargain buy for Rajasthan Royals who will be hoping for a repeat of 2018 IPL performance from the Aussie. Also, given his vast T20 cricket experience (194 wickets in 142 matches), the Perth-born pacer could be the ideal candidate to spearhead Rajasthan Royals' pace attack in the absence of fiery Jofra Archer. Having joined a new franchise, Tye will be hoping for a change of fortunes after a forgettable 2019 IPL.