Jofra Archer Back in England Test Squad After Four Years for 2nd Test Against India

Jofra Archer is all set to return to Test cricket after being away for four years. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named him in the squad for the second Test against India, which will be played on July 2, 2025, at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Archer’s comeback is great news for England, who are already 1-0 ahead in the five-match series. Known for his raw pace and ability to trouble batters, Archer last played a Test match in 2021 against India in Ahmedabad. His return will add more strength to a bowling unit that already has Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and skipper Ben Stokes.

The 30-year-old fast bowler has faced several injuries since his last Test. Most recently, a thumb injury kept him out of the white-ball series against the West Indies. But Archer showed he’s ready again by performing well for Sussex in a county match against Durham, where he scored 31 runs and took 1 wicket for 32 runs in 18 overs.

England squad for the 2nd Test at Edgbaston is out and guess who's back?

Jofra Archer returns to the Test squad for the first time in 4 years! #ENGvsIND 👉🏻 2nd TEST | WED, 2nd JULY, 2.30 PM on JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/bmd6j3MujS

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 26, 2025

Archer has played 13 Test matches so far and has taken 42 wickets. His last appearance for England was earlier this year in the ICC Champions Trophy. Now, with his return to red-ball cricket, England’s bowling attack looks even stronger. England pulled off a strong win in the first Test, chasing down the target to win by five wickets. They’ll be aiming for a repeat performance at Edgbaston. On the other side, India will be hungry to bounce back and level the series.

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England squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue and Chris Woakes.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) added another pacer to the squad for the upcoming Test against India, and it is Jofra Archer. Archer can get the chance to play in Edgbaston, in the second of the five-match series.

The English pacer has been out of the format since he toured England in 2021. For multiple injury problems, the talented pacer was ruled out from the side for multiple highly rated matches. In 2024, Jofra was part of England's playing XI for only 7 limited overs matches. The seamer himself, too, agreed that adopting the Test format again would not be so easy after so many years.

"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. Over the next couple of days, I'm going to have to battle a bit with it, but it's all good. It's a new challenge, and I'll keep trucking along," he said. 

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Archer may have to face a tough compitition 

Before the 2nd Test, which is scheduled to start on July 2, England has multiple options in their pace bowling line-up. In the first match, Ben Stokes and Co. relied on Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, and Brydon Carse as the pace bowlers, including the skipper himself. Apart from Wokes, Tongue, and Carse, Archer has competition with the other two pacers of the squad—Sam Cook and Jamie Overton—to make a space in the playing XI. 

England Men's Test squad

Ben Stokes (Captain), Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes

Jofra Archer's long-awaited return to red-ball cricket made headlines for more than just his on-field performance. The England pacer, featuring for Sussex in the County Championship after a 1501-day gap, breached the tournament’s clothing regulations by wearing black socks—against the rulebook that permits only white or light grey. Archer played against Durham at Chester-le-Street, marking his first red-ball appearance since 2021, but now faces a likely fine or official warning from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Archer looked in solid rhythm with both bat and ball. He bowled 18 overs and had one wicket to his name, catching opener Emilio Gay lbw, and also contributed 31 runs off 34 balls with a useful hand. Yet it was his sock selection that caused the furor. Rules for the County Championship clearly state that players are required to play in white or light grey socks, thus rendering Archer's black socks in direct breach. Such infractions normally earn players financial fines or disciplinary action.

Interestingly, Archer is not alone in this fashion misstep. Indian captain Shubman Gill was also seen wearing black socks during the ongoing Headingley Test and is under scrutiny by the ICC for the same. Both cases have drawn attention to strict clothing codes in red-ball cricket, which, while rarely enforced, remain binding for all players.

Archer’s Return Gains Momentum Despite Error

Despite the minor off-field blunder, Archer’s return has been promising. With his performance against Durham, he is now strongly in contention for a place in England’s Test side for the second Test against India at Edgbaston starting July 2. It would mark his first red-ball match for England in nearly four years.

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The comeback of the fast bowler from chronic injuries has been under observation, and this match is a step in this direction towards the international arena. While the incident with the sock may result in a small punishment, it hasn't cooled down the building excitement regarding Archer's comeback to the Test stage.

As per growing reports, Jofra Archer's four-year-long wait for a Test return may come to an end very soon. The express pacer aims to make a comeback ahead of England's second Test fixture against India, due to take place at Edgbaston. Archer is currently involved in County duties and is representing Sussex in the First Division County Championship 2025. 

The 30-year-old last featured for England in whites against India in the Ahmedabad Test in the 2021 series. Since then, Archer has had to contend with a series of unfortunate injuries that have kept him away from a lot of action recently. He did not get a single game in 2022. But then he recovered in 2023 only to be injured again. However, in 2024, Archer made a full-fledged recovery, and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) seems keen on having them in their ranks in the ongoing home series. 

See also: ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 4: Major highlights and key performances

Archer aims to make a comeback on the back of a sublime performance in the County Championship

Archer was initially not a part of the 12-member Sussex squad when it was announced ahead of their four-day clash with Durham. However, he was later added to the squad and travelled to Chester-le-Street later. The clash is currently being staged at Seat Unique Riverside Stadium in Chester-le-Street. 

Previously, Sussex had opted to bat first and registered a score of 361 before getting bundled out. Archer was seen in action with the bat where he mustered a valuable 31 runs low down the order. Subsequently, he got a chance to bowl later on. Archer has bowled 14 overs so far in the Durham innings and has accounted for the dismissal of Emilio Gay on 34 while being very economical with the ball.

If Archer manages to remain injury-free in this ongoing County Division match, he could see himself in contention for the second Test match against India, which starts on July 2 at Edgbaston. Archer has made 12 Test appearances for England, out of which two came against India. With the ball, Archer averages 30.50 against India with career-best figures of 3/98 against them.

The beautiful game of cricket has several intricacies, and fast bowling is one aspect that offers it sheer brilliance and sensation. Seeing a bowler at his mark, loading up with the ball as ammunition, striding ahead towards the crease, and delivering fast is an electrifying sight. Stepping up, setting the speed gun on fire, and hitting the top mark, visible as speed on the big screen, is an incredible moment in the game. As exciting as it can get, the chill of pace bowling is an immense source of adrenaline among the players and viewers. 

To master the skills of fast bowling, it takes a great amount of hard work, practice, rhythm, momentum, and innumerable accurate run-ups. To bowl the fastest ball in the match and for the history books is a beholding sight and requires immaculate strategies, strength, and consistency. To be counted as one of the fastest bowlers in the cricket world is a matter of humongous pride and an indication of pure greatness. 

Creating dread among the batters and overpowering them in the modern formats of the game is quite tough. Speed bowling is one tool, if employed and executed at its best, can bundle out the opposition in a jiffy. The protagonists of these are a rare species of players who possess the ball like venom and have set records for the same. Here is a look at the top ten fastest bowlers in the world who are currently in the game and actively plying their trade. 

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Mitchell Starc

The tall and lanky left-arm fast bowling sensation from Australia often takes the cricketing universe by storm because of his sensational pace. He is currently the fastest bowler in the world, having clocked an unimaginable speed of 99.7 miles per hour in a test match against New Zealand in 2015. His average speeds are in the high 140s kph, and his smooth action makes him look aesthetic while delivering balls. When he spearheads the bowling attack of any team, a fear is instilled among the batters, and this attribute has made him one of the highest wicket-takers for his nation, currently at 382 wickets in tests. His potent fitness while being a pacer is a testament to his focused approach towards meticulous practice, planning, and workload management. 

Haris Rauf

The skiddy bowler from Pakistan is a white ball specialist. He began his international career as a T20 player and soon got opportunities in the ODI circuit as well. He is tall, bangs the surface hard, and extracts extra bounce off the pitch. In a match against England in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, Australia, he bowled at 99 miles per hour, sending rocket waves across the bowling fraternity. He is a regular player in his national side and has accumulated 206 wickets, so far, in limited-overs cricket. His average bowling speed nears 150 kmph on many occasions. 

Lockie Ferguson

The Kiwi bowler is a great customer of batters' wickets. His sheer pace, complemented by impeccable bounce, line, and length, makes it extremely tough to score against him. His rhythmic bowling action makes his task look effortless. He regularly plays in the IPL and is a great asset for any team. Once in the 2022 season, playing for the Gujarat Titans against the Rajasthan Royals, he produced a magical delivery worth 157.3 kmph and set the speed gun ablaze. For New Zealand, he has, so far, taken 163 wickets in white ball cricket.

Umran Malik

The speedster from Jammu and Kashmir was the talk of the town even before his debut in professional cricket. His raw pace, coupled with youthful energy, made him a fast bowling sensation. This put him in the category of a rare breed of pacers, an asset that could serve India and IPL cricket for years to come. In the 2022 IPL season, playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Delhi Capitals, he bowled a superfast delivery, measured at 157 kmph in the speed metrics. It became the second fastest ball in that season and earned him a place in the National side. He, however, has been very unfortunate with injuries and has missed out on a lot of game time over the years, hoping to return very soon and produce similar goods for which he became popular. 

Mayank Yadav

Mayank Yadav rose in the ranks while playing for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2024 season of IPL. His impressive performances from the time he got an opportunity made the cricket pundits and viewers talk about him quite a lot on social media. In a match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he clocked a top speed of 156.7 kmph and took everyone by surprise. Delivering that fast at a tender age and also scalping a few wickets made him a player to watch out for ahead. He, too, has lacked the rub of the green in his strides and has dealt with injuries very frequently. 

Mark Wood

The English quick is one of the fastest bowlers in the world and among only a few who possess the ability to turn the tide in his team's favour purely by fiery pace bowling. He sprints like an athlete and delivers fire. At times, his absence from the England team make their attack look bleak and without any venom. Of late, his improved fitness has made him play a lot more matches than he used to in the past, and that is good for the game itself. During the test tour of Pakistan in 2022, he bowled a ball at 156.6 kmph and became the fastest bowler in England's history. He has taken 255 wickets across formats for his nation yet. 

Anrich Nortje

The South African right-arm speedster has an average bowling speed of around 150 kmph. His bowling resonates with business, and so does his serious looks. Playing for the Delhi Capitals and bowling to Rajasthan Royals' Jos Buttler, he sent waves across the world by recording a gobsmacking speed of 156.22 kmph. The Protea pacer, however, has been less economical over the years and has gone for a few in his overs on numerous occasions. Injuries have pegged him back quite a lot. He currently bowls quick but needs to be smart enough in disguising the batters to sustain himself further in the game. 

Kagiso Rabada

Another bowler hailing from South Africa is an all-format player for the National side. Known for his consistency, Rabada has been a go-to bowler for whichever team he has played in, at all levels. He might lack express pace when compared to other bowlers in the list, but if coupled with the right line and lengths, it apparently seems quite threatening. In IPL 2019, he produced a delivery having a speed of 154.23 kmph. Kagiso has 327 test wickets to his name. 

Jofra Archer

The Caribbean-born pacer became eligible to play for England in 2019 and was fast-tracked into the National side just before the ODI World Cup scheduled in the same year. This news sent seismic waves across the cricket world, and Jofra Archer has been associated with sheer pace since his inception. His raw speed and unparalleled accuracy make it a nightmare for opposition batters, and time and again, he has displayed that. 2019 was a glorious year for him, and he made his name by performing impressively well in the World Cup and the Ashes. 

Mohammad Shami

The Indian pace bowler is known to have the best seam position of the ball. He makes the ball talk at his own will, seaming and swinging notoriously. Delivered at a great pace, it becomes extremely difficult for the batters to negotiate his overs and spells, especially in the longest format of the game. His action is flawless and equivalent to poetry in cricket. His skills affirm the fact that fast bowling is all about rhythm. For India, Shami has struck 462 times across the three formats. 

Some fresh air passing through the England camp ahead of the 5-match Test series against India. For the first match, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced their squad, and they can update their squad for the next games. Shuffle in the existing test setup depends on how the injured players are recovering.

As for now, the board has received a couple of pieces of good news. The latest one is about the speed star Mark Wood. The prime bowler of England suffered an injury during their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage match against Afghanistan, where they faced a shocking setback.

Luke Wright, England's national selector, informed us that Wood has started bowling lightly; he is in recovery season and yet to fully gain fitness. Wright and the board do not want to take any decision in a hurry, as they see the pacer as a long-term prospect. But there is some hope that Wood could mark his Test return during the fourth or fifth Test against India, though it's not official yet.

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"I think Woody's now started bowling just lightly, to be honest. He's just off a few paces, but that's been a great sign. So, he's on the road to recovery. I think he's more long-term; if we can get him back, he might have an option for the fourth or fifth test. But again, each day it's ticking off each box and making sure he's OK," Wright said on Sky Sports.

Jofra Archer set to hit the deck 

Another seamer, Jofra Archer, is currently out of the mix due to a thumb injury, and he is recovering as well. During the final stages of the IPL 2025, he got himself injured. Wright is again hopeful for a fine recovery, and to provide him the necessary match fitness, the bowler will participate in domestic contests. 

"Joff's trucking on really well, actually. The plans for him are that he's playing a few second-team games. The plan is for him to play a few second team games, loading up in the second team for Sussex. And then the idea for him is to play for Sussex against Durham during the first Test. So, he'll play for Sussex if all things go well, and then, if all things go well, fingers crossed, he should be available for the second Test," Luke Wright said. 

Team India could face a tough time in the current five-match Test series as England's paceman Jofra Archer is said to be on track to return for the second Test. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) declared their 14-man team for the series' first Test, which will start on June 20. Ben Stokes will remain the captain, and Jamie Overton has been recalled after three years. Gus Atkinson was left out, and Jofra Archer also wasn't initially included because of a recent injury setback.

Archer was set to return to red-ball action after a lengthy absence and was going to feature in the second unofficial Test against India A. But a thumb injury received while representing Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 2025 put a spanner in the works. This delay pushed his much-awaited return to Test cricket, many fearing another prolonged absence.

Even though there was an initial setback, there is renewed hope in the England camp. England's top selector had good news about Archer's fitness and indicated that a second Test comeback at Edgbaston on July 2 may be possible. He said Archer is recovering well and will participate in a couple of second-team games for Sussex. If he is able to play against Durham in the first Test, it could set the stage for his return in the next match.

Archer's Test Comeback on the Cards

Jofra Archer last played Test cricket in February 2021, the irony being that it was against India. If Archer returns to play this Test, it would be a big boost for England's fast bowling attack, knowing Edgbaston is particularly receptive to fast bowling. With Archer's unique pace, bounce, and capacity to reverse swing the ball, he could have a massive impact on the Indian top order.

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The timing of his comeback could be decisive, the series still in its infancy. In full fitness, Archer could tip the balance in England's favor, threatening India's chances of a series victory on English ground.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were dealt a hard blow before IPL 2025 resumes on May 17. RR's ace pacer Jofra Archer, who was going to play the last two league matches, has been ruled out with a new injury, shattering hopes of his availability for the tournament. On the other hand, CSK's ace all-rounder Sam Curran has decided not to return to India; the team is already eliminated from the playoff race, currently placed in 10th position with 6 points from 12 matches.

The IPL was postponed for a week on May 9 when tensions between Pakistan and India escalated, resulting in air raid alerts during a Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala. A May 10 ceasefire relieved pressure, and the BCCI moved to reschedule the tournament with the final then fixed for June 3. But the teams are still dealing with the fallout of the no-shows caused by injuries and national duties, notably to vital overseas players Archer and Curran, affecting especially RR, at 9th place with 6 points, and CSK as they run through the balance of matches.

For RR, Archer's injury is a significant blow since he was meant to strengthen their bowling attack in the pivotal latter part of the tournament. An RR official confirmed that Archer will not be taking any more part in the IPL, although there's no indication of an interim replacement. CSK has opted not to apply for a replacement for Curran because of his ongoing injury and the need to focus on getting him fit rather than on a return, with them now out of playoff contention.

Uncertainty Surrounds Other English Players

The report further points out that a number of English players, such as Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, and Liam Livingstone, are heading back to India for the resumption of the IPL. Yet, their presence in the playoff stage is uncertain owing to national obligations, namely England's white-ball series against the West Indies from May 23, which conflicts with the latter stages of the IPL.

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Also hanging in the balance is the availability of RCB's explosive opener Phil Salt, for whom the participation is still unclear, although other English players are back on the field. RCB, placed 2nd with 16 points from 11 games, will be hoping to get confirmation about Salt's availability as they seek to win their maiden IPL trophy for this delayed season.

During an IPL 2025 match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Jofra Archer caught everyone’s attention with an unexpected act on the field. Known for his fiery pace and competitive spirit, the Barbadian English fast bowler settled everyone’s attention with an unexpected act in IPL, as he was spotted amidst the heavy competition blowing off some steam, which revealed his eccentric personality. In the midst of the high-stakes encounter, during which he needed to be fully focused, Archer was captured carefully filing his nails, which, as comical as it sounds, does add some essence of humor and playfulness to intensively competitive sports. This moment, shared widely on social media, earned him a cheeky caption as a "diva," reflecting his ability to stay relaxed and confident even during a crucial match.

Archer’s nail-filing wasn’t just a random act—it symbolized his approach to staying sharp in every way. On the field, he’s renowned for his precision as a bowler, consistently delivering express pace and troubling batters with his accuracy. Off the field, this moment highlighted his attention to detail and self-assured nature, proving that he can balance intensity with a bit of flair. In this match, Archer contributed with figures of 4-0-33-1, dismissing a key RCB batter in the 16th over, further showcasing his ability to stay focused when it matters most.

Watch the video here

Diva Jofra Archer 💅#RCBvsRR pic.twitter.com/kx5siaWJj0

— Orwellian (@GeorgiOrwell) April 24, 2025

Also Read: Top 3 reasons why Rajasthan Royals lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2025 Match 42

Staying sharp on and off the field

Jofra Archer's cricket journey has been nothing short of incredible. Since debuting internationally for England in 2019, playing a key role in the Cricket World Cup win, and his time in the IPL, Archer has continued to show he is tough enough to endure. It is uncertain how much we will see Archer in the IPL during 2025 with the Rajasthan Royals as he continues to push back from injury, but he has seamlessly combined putting in top performances on the field with a moment of individuality, in this case, filing his nails! Archer's 53 wickets from 45 IPL matches show precision as a bowler, in exactly the way he approached this fine-quart nail-filing moment. Archer is a personality that thrives under pressure while being able to bring humor to his activity. Whether he is nailing a yorker or nailing nails, Archer shows he is prepared to make an impression.

Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the 23rd game of the IPL 2025 on Wednesday evening (April 9), and the match is Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals (GT vs RR). Let's check the Dream11 top captains and vice-captains of the GT vs RR match. 

IPL 2025, Match 23: GT vs RR Probable XIs

Gujarat Titans Predicted Playing XI: Shubman Gill (Captain), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Sherfane Rutherford/Prasidh Krishna (Impact Players), Gerald Coetzee, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, R Sai Kishore

Rajasthan Royals Predicted Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (Captain), Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Jofra Archer

See Also: IPL 2025: GT vs RR - A Head-to-Head breakdown

IPL 2025, Match 23: GT vs RR Dream11 Top Captains And Vice-captains

Top 3 Captain choices

Sai Sudharsan: Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan started the IPL 2025 strongly. Apart from scoring five runs in the last game, he scored 74, 63, and 49 runs in this competition. 

Sanju Samson: Rajasthan Royals' regular captain Sanju Samson started this IPL season with scores of 66, 13, 20, and 38 runs, respectively. 

Shubman Gill: Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill scored 33, 38, 14, and 61 not out in the ongoing IPL 2025, as the right-handed batter is in great form. 

Top 3 Vice-captain choices

Mohammed Siraj: After starting this season without picking up a wicket, Mohammed Siraj recorded nine wickets in the next three games, including winning Player of the Match awards in the last two matches. 

Jofra Archer: English cricketer Jofra Archer won the Player of the Match award in their last game for picking up three wickets. After failing to take wickets in the first two games of the season, Archer had an impactful role with the ball in the next two fixtures.  

Wanindu Hasaranga: Sri Lankan star Wanindu Hasaranga is the leading wicket-taker for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025 with six wickets after three games.