IND v ENG, 2025: Focus on Jofra Archer as England look for a turnaround at Lord’s

Jofra Archer. PC – RevSportz.

Debasis Sen in London 

Jofra Archer’s long-awaited return to England’s Test XI has injected fresh excitement ahead of the Lord’s Test against India, beginning Thursday. Having last played a Test match in February 2021, Archer is set to lead the pace attack alongside Chris Woakes. Surprisingly, he chose not to bowl in the nets on the eve of the game, opting instead for a relaxed batting session before joining Joe Root and Harry Brook in a casual conversation—perhaps a sign of his calm readiness.

Archer’s road back has been far from smooth. Persistent elbow and back injuries sidelined him for years, raising serious concerns about whether he would ever play red-ball cricket again. His comeback is especially poignant given that his last home Test took place during the pandemic’s biosecure bubble, in an empty stadium. 

Lord’s holds a special place in Archer’s cricketing journey. It’s where he etched his name into history by bowling the Super Over that clinched England’s 2019 World Cup. It’s also where he famously rattled Steve Smith with a ferocious spell during the Ashes that same year. Over four years later, Archer walks back onto the same hallowed turf, once again carrying the hopes of a nation.

In the lead-up to this comeback, Archer featured in a four-day County Championship match for Sussex against Durham, returning with figures of 1/32 from 18 overs. He also bowled in England’s training sessions before the Edgbaston Test, though he only participated in a non-playing role there. His selection for the Lord’s Test reflects the faith of Rob Key, England’s managing director, who clearly values Archer’s match-winning potential.

Still, expectations must be tempered. Archer has bowled just 18 overs in competitive cricket recently for Sussex, and England will likely manage his workload carefully to avoid further setbacks. His pace and bounce and the ability to change games in a single spell remain undiminished, but patience may be key.

Adding to the buzz, Mark Wood was also spotted training at Lord’s. Though still recovering from injury, his warm greetings with Archer sparked speculations about a possible reunion later in the summer or during the Ashes.

Now, all eyes are on Archer. His return marks more than a comeback—it’s a moment of renewal, a chance to remind the cricket world of the fire that never quite went out.

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