Jofra Archer's IPL Auction Bid Raises Concerns Over Ashes Preparation

The fast bowler's potential return to the IPL complicates England's plans to manage his workload for a Test cricket comeback.

Jofra Archer is reportedly set to enter the Indian Premier League auction, reversing earlier expectations that he would skip the tournament to focus on Test cricket.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) previously withheld no-objection certificates for Archer and Mark Wood, citing concerns about their fitness and workload ahead of the 2025 Ashes in Australia.
New IPL rules would bar players who skip this year's auction from participating in the league for the next two years, a factor influencing Archer's decision.
Archer has not played a Test match since February 2021 and was expected to prepare for a red-ball return by playing County Championship matches for Sussex next summer.
England's management faces a dilemma in balancing Archer's IPL commitments with their goal of having him fit and ready for critical Test series against India and the Ashes.