England have bolstered their pace attack for the second Test against India with the inclusion of Jofra Archer, marking his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket after more than four years. The 30-year-old speedster has been added to the 15-member squad for the Edgbaston Test, which begins on July 2, and could make his first Test appearance since February 2021.
Jofra Archer’s Comeback After Injury Woes
Archer’s last Test outing came against India in Ahmedabad in 2021. Since then, his career has been plagued by a series of injuries, including a recurring elbow issue and a back stress fracture that sidelined him from international cricket for extended periods. After a cautious rehabilitation process, Archer made his white-ball return in May 2024 and recently featured in a County Championship fixture for Sussex against Durham, where he bowled 18 overs and took 1 for 32.
Also Read: Five Reasons Why Team India Lost the ENG vs IND 1st Test at Headingley
Speaking after the match, Archer expressed optimism about his fitness:
“It felt all right today. I’ve been playing for a year and bowling for two years, including the build-up, so everything is fine. Now it’s a different challenge because I know my body can hold up to it. The mental part of the game will be tough, but I’ll keep trucking along”.
England Eye 2-0 Lead With Unchanged Core
England head into the second Test with a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, having secured a five-wicket win in the opener at Headingley. Archer’s inclusion is the only change to the squad, with the rest of the lineup remaining intact. The selectors have opted to retain the same core group, including in-form players like Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Zak Crawley.
The pace department now boasts significant depth, with Archer joining the likes of Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and Jamie Overton. With back-to-back Tests scheduled at Edgbaston and Lord’s, England may look to rotate their seamers to manage workloads.
Archer has 42 wickets from 13 Tests at an average of 31.04, including three five-wicket hauls. His raw pace and ability to generate bounce make him a potent weapon, especially on English surfaces.
Also Read Will Jasprit Bumrah Play 2nd IND vs ENG Test at Edgbaston? Here’s update
England’s squad for ENG vs IND 2nd Test
England’s squad for the 2nd Test: Ben Stokes (C), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes.
With India likely to miss Jasprit Bumrah due to workload management, Archer’s comeback could tilt the balance further in England’s favor as they aim to extend their lead in the 5-match Test series. The second Test is slated to take place at Edgbaston in Birmingham from July 2nd.
Also Read: IND vs ENG Playing 11 for 2nd Test: 3 Big Changes for Edgbaston
IND vs ENG Test 2025 Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
- India vs England Test series 2025 live streaming is available free on JioCinema
- TV broadcast channel: Sony Sports Network
Ind vs Eng live on which channel: Sony Sports 1/3/5 - Ind vs Eng test live streaming: JioHotstar (mobile & desktop)
- Ind vs Eng toss time: 3:00 PM IST, 2 July 2025
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