In a bold move ahead of the 3rd Test between England and India, Jofra Archer has been named in England’s playing XI for the first time since February 2021. This marks a long-awaited return to Test cricket for the pacer, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, including elbow and back issues. Archer replaces Josh Tongue in the playing XI for the crucial match at Lord's, with the five-match series currently tied at 1-1.

Archer’s inclusion is a significant boost to England’s bowling attack, which has struggled to maintain consistency in recent matches. The 30-year-old pacer, who made his Test debut against Australia in 2019, has taken 42 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 31.04. His return to the Test side is expected to add much-needed pace and firepower to England’s attack, especially with the spicy surface at Lord’s providing favorable conditions for fast bowlers.

Since 2021, Archer has focused exclusively on white-ball cricket for England, with his last Test appearance also coming against India in Ahmedabad. Despite his time away from Test cricket, Archer's formidable pace and ability to make breakthroughs make him a key asset for England in this series. His return is anticipated to be a game-changer as England look to regain the upper hand in the series after India’s dominant win in the second Test at Birmingham.

The England squad for the 3rd Test is as follows: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Shoaib Bashir.

With the series level and both teams vying for control, Archer’s inclusion in the playing XI has added extra excitement to the much-anticipated third Test at Lord's. Fans are eagerly awaiting the pacer's return to the red-ball game and hoping that his presence will help England take a crucial step toward winning the series.