England pacer Jofra Archer made his Test comeback at Lord’s after four years. Due to several serious back and elbow injuries over the last few years, the 30-year-old couldn’t play in the longest format of the game. It took him some time, but Archer is now ready to be a regular member of the Test squad. He played an important role in the close 22-run win that gave England a 2-1 lead in the series. In the third Test against India, he took five wickets and later said that he wants to play in the last two matches in Manchester and at The Oval.

The 30-year-old took a wicket with the third ball of his comeback, then picked up three more in India’s second innings as England defended a target of 192. He bowled 39.2 overs in total and kept a high pace throughout – his average speed never dropped below 87mph, and he bowled 41 balls over 90mph.

However, it is not clear if the team management will let Archer play both matches. The England team has been very careful with the pacer. It is likely that the Ben Stokes-led side will not play Archer in both Tests and will try to manage his workload.

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Meanwhile, the Barbados-born fast bowler also said that he wants to win the current series and will do everything possible to be on the flight to Australia for the Ashes later this year.

“I Will Do Everything to Be on the Plane to Australia” – Archer

“I can play the other two if they let me. I don't want to lose this series. I said I wanted to play the Test summer and I wanted to play the Ashes. One tick is already there, and I will do everything possible in my power to be on the plane to Australia in November,” Archer said, as quoted by the BBC.

Jofra Archer said, "I can play the other two Tests against India if they let me. I don't want to lose this series. Also I will do everything possible in my power to be on the plane in November for Ashes". pic.twitter.com/ZO1WnZWb7n

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 15, 2025

'The Mentality Suits Me,' Says Archer

The Lord’s Test was the first time Archer played a red-ball game under coach Brendon McCullum. Talking about it, the pacer said that the team has played an exciting brand of cricket lately, and the mindset really suits him.

Archer’s first game under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum went really well, and he is happy that the long rehab work paid off.

“Test cricket was always going to take the most time to come back to. I played 50-over and T20 cricket for the last one and a half to two years. You always just wondered… The guys have played some really exciting cricket since Baz [McCullum] took charge. I think the team’s mindset under Baz fits the way I like to play. So, I just couldn’t wait to get back and actually do it without needing any push.”

After the thrilling win at Lord's, England has announced its squad for the fourth Test. The team has made one change. Shoaib Bashir is out of the series due to injury. Liam Dawson has been included in the team in his place. Dawson has returned to the Test team after 8 years. He can contribute not only with spin bowling but also with the bat. The fourth Test match of the series will be played at Old Trafford from July 23.

A Change in the England Team

England has made a change in its squad for the fourth Test match. Shoaib Bashir will not play in the remaining two matches due to injury. Liam Dawson has been added to the team in his place. Dawson returns to the Test team after 8 years. He last played a Test match in 2017. So far, he has played 3 Test matches for England, scoring 84 runs and taking 7 wickets.

Dawson's highest score in Tests is 66 not out. His best bowling figures are 4 wickets for 101 runs. Bashir was injured while bowling during the Lord's Test. He has a fractured finger and is now out of the series.

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England Lead the Series 2-1

England played well in the Lord's Test and defeated India by 22 runs. It was a close and exciting match, but in the end, England came out on top. With this win, England took a 2-1 lead in the series. Jofra Archer bowled brilliantly and took 5 important wickets. Captain Ben Stokes also impressed with his bowling.

Liam Dawson, 35, now has a chance to play his first Test match in 8 years after being called into the squad for the fourth Test at Old Trafford. The left-arm spinner was picked after Bashir was ruled out with a broken finger.

Welcome, Daws! 👋

Spinner Liam Dawson joins our squad for the Fourth Test match against India 🏏

Full story 👇

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 15, 2025

Dawson has shown great form in domestic cricket and has been named the Professional Cricketers' Association Player of the Year for the last two seasons. He was part of England's 2019 World Cup-winning squad but was out of the national team for three years. He made his return earlier this summer in the T20 series against West Indies.

England Squad for Fourth Test vs India:

Ben Stokes, Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Jacob Bethell, Liam Dawson, Gus Atkinson, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse.

Following a string of poor performances in the current Test series against England, Karun Nair's place in the Indian playing XI for the 4th Test at Old Trafford is in doubt. Nair has struggled to convert starts into big scores, managing only 131 runs at an average of 21.83 in three Tests to date. His best score in this series is only 40. This has opened up debate regarding substitutes for the vital upcoming match. Below are three players who might replace his position:

Sai Sudharsan

This left-handed batsman is a young player who is viewed as a future Indian Test player and might be given one more chance in the Tests. Although he scored a duck in the first innings, he followed it with a composed 30 in the second, showing glimpses of his potential. Sudharsan bats at No. 3—the same spot as Nair—and has been in excellent form in domestic cricket. With a first-class average of 39.93 and a career-best score of 213, he represents a strong long-term option for India in the top order.

Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran has been a consistent force in India’s domestic circuit and has regularly been part of India A squads. Despite not yet making his Test debut, he carries a wealth of red-ball experience with 7,841 runs at an average of 48.70, including 27 centuries. His recent 80 off 92 balls for India A against England Lions at No. 3 has strengthened his case. Easwaran also led India A against the England Lions and had a gritty 80 in the second innings following a first-innings duck.

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Dhruv Jurel

A wicket-keeper batsman, Jurel has made an impression with his batting performance and technique, especially when facing the moving ball. He is a potential candidate to step in place of Nair and provide another layer to the batting unit of the team. He has scored 1,462 runs from 34 first-class matches at a staggering average of 48.73 with one century and 12 half-centuries to his credit. He is also a skilled wicketkeeper with 64 catches and 6 stumpings in first-class cricket. Jurel has played 4 Tests, with 202 runs at an average of 40.40, with one fifty to his name.

While the selectors have the final decision, these three players are strong contenders for the likely absence of Karun Nair in the Indian 4th Test squad against England.