ENG vs IND 2025: Jofra Archer joins England Test squad for Edgbaston Test – What it means for India’s batting lineup?
Jofra Archer, during England’s opening Test of the five-match series against India at Leeds, was busy at Chester-Le-Street playing for Sussex against Durham. He returned with figures of 1/32 in 18 overs including eight maidens on a flat deck in the County Championship 2025 clash.
The national selectors found the performance good enough to add him to the squad for the second Edgbaston fixture, starting on July 2. That means he is in line to play the longest format for the first time since February 2021. England played 52 red-ball encounters in this period when Archer’s career was stuck in multiple operations.
Rob Key confident of Jofra Archer’s steady Test comeback
Many predicted that the selectors may keep the Barbados-born in the cotton wool considering the upcoming away Ashes 2025/26 in the winter. However, India’s exceptional batting with five centuries in the Headingley Test has pushed the management to take an aggressive route.
Archer had a tough time with operations on his right elbow and a stress fracture in the back. However, he made a smooth return to the white-ball format in May last year. The veteran appeared in the last two ICC global events- the T20 World Cup in June 2024 and the Champions Trophy in February this year.
Rob Key, England men’s managing director, was pleased to ‘see Archer back.’ He reckoned that the 30-year-old had been ‘doing so much work in the lead-up even when he was not playing.’
The home side’s impressive five-wicket victory in the series opener and a week’s break between games may see them sticking with an unchanged seam attack. However, there are different possibilities. Chris Woakes can swing the new ball while Josh Tongue was terrific at the visitor’s lower order.
In that case, Archer could replace Brydon Carse. The former’s pace on the dry Edgbaston surface will be key to hurry the batters and challenge their defense.
Meanwhile, the selectors may take another route of releasing the pacer for Sussex’s next home County game against Warwickshire. With a few more overs under his belt, the right-arm pacer will be more lethal for the following Lord’s Test.
Key, however, feels that players like Archer and Mark Wood ‘won’t need to build up their workloads to be fully prepared for the red-ball contest.’ The West Indies-born bowler also addressed that his ‘body can hold up to red-ball cricket.’
“There was a time when you thought it was all about Wood and Archer, and we needed that X-factor pace. But now, we have got a few of them. So, it’s encouraging. You need bowlers for all conditions, not just the Ashes.” Key expressed this at a Rothesay media event in London.
Read More: Why Edgbaston is England’s fortress in Tests: A look at the ground stats
Jofra Archer is 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲 🔥
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2025
Our squad to take on India in the second Test has just dropped 📋👇
India need to be careful and smart in tackling Jofra Archer
As of now, Jofra Archer has celebrated 42 red-ball wickets in 24 innings at an average of 31.04. In two Tests against India, he picked up four wickets at an average of 30.50 and a strike rate of 52.75. To tackle his expressive pace in England, it becomes vital for the batters to have much time.
Archer tends to set up batters with outswingers and inswingers. Due to his incredible pace, he can also put the batter on the backfoot with a short ball. That puts several doubts among the batters, who need to be crystal clear on the balls they want to play or leave.
The weather is expected to be clear across the five days at Edgbaston. On a dry surface, the 30-year-old can also bring reverse-swing into the equation with the old ball. These are the basics the touring batters need to be attentive to.
It’s just like how the home batters faced Jasprit Bumrah in the second innings of Headingley. They didn’t try any fancy shots and mostly looked to focus on their plans.
Meanwhile, they also have to be smart in facing the pacer, who has played a handful of first-class games in the last four years. There is a huge difference between domestic and international red-ball cricket. Making a comeback to the five-day format after such a long period will be emotional and that emotion tends to make any player mentally tired.
Archer won’t bowl six or seven over spells. Most of his spells are going to around four to five overs. That’s where India need to be precocious. As the day progresses, his pace will come down and with the old ball, it could have been much easier to score runs against him. So, it all boils down to the first couple of spells.
In both innings at Leeds, India’s top order tackled the England pacers beautifully in certain challenging conditions. But if they want to square the series going to Lord’s, the batters need to continue the good work.
Read More: ENG vs IND, 2025: Changes desired in India’s XI for Edgbaston Test
