Have always wanted to play for Mumbai Indians: Jofra Archer

England fast bowler Jofra Archer who was picked up by Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 8 crore says he is excited to start this new chapter and it is a franchise that he has always wanted to represent.

Archer, who is still recovering from a long-standing elbow injury will miss the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season but will team up with them from 2023.

"I am super excited to be joining the Mumbai Indians. It has been a franchise that was really close to my heart and I always wanted to play for them as long as I could have remembered watching IPL cricket," he said in a video posted on Instagram handle of MI.

"I am so glad that I have finally got the opportunity to represent such an amazing franchise. I am also going to get a chance to play with some of the biggest stars in the world. So I am really looking forward to starting a new chapter. See you guys soon."

Earlier on Sunday, explaining the rationale behind picking Archer, MI owner Akash Ambani had said, "... of course he (Archer) is not available this year but when he is fit and available, I believe that with (Jasprit Bumrah) he will make a formidable partnership."

Former India pacer and MI's director of cricket operations, Zaheer Khan said the prospect of witnessing Bumrah and Archer bowling in tandem will be worth the wait. "You are eagerly waiting for the partnership to go on the field and so am I," he said.

"To see two legendary fast bowlers bowling in tandem and I'm glad that it seems possible and will be worth the wait."

(With inputs from PTI)