No Archer as England name unchanged eleven for 2nd Test vs India

Jofra Archer’s wait for a comeback into Test cricket has been extended as England have decided to field an unchanged playing eleven for the second Test against India, starting at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

Archer had been named in an England Test squad for the first time since 2021, but the side have chosen to retain their faith in the same playing eleven that won them the series opener against India at Headingley.

Archer was called into the squad following England’s thrilling five-wicket victory in the opening Test at Headingley last week. So far, he has played 13 Tests for England and picked 42 wickets at an average of 31.04.

But a recurrence of an elbow injury and stress fracture in the back meant Archer was largely sidelined from playing Tests for England after February 2021. Archer, 30, also missed England’s training session on Monday due to a family emergency.

In last week’s Test at Headingley, England chased down 371 to win by five wickets, despite India having five centurions, and lead the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 1-0. Another win for the Ben Stokes-led side at Edgbaston will give them a chance to seal the five-match series in the third game at Lord’s, starting on July 10.

England retaining their playing eleven also means seam-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes will also get to play a Test match at his home venue. Woakes, 36, has a stellar record in his three Test appearances at his home venue against Australia, West Indies, and Pakistan respectively.

Gambhir faces growing pressure: Gautam Gambhir is under growing pressure ahead of the second Test after India’s loss at Headingley made it seven defeats in 11 red-ball matches since he became coach last year.

The 43-year-old former opening batsman is facing flak from some quarters for his selections, man management and how he carries himself in press conferences.

India are ushering in a new era following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with Gambhir widely reported to have played a part in the exit of at least one of the two veteran stars.

Led by new captain Shubman Gill, the visitors were beaten by five wickets in the opening Test of the five-match England series, adding to a growing sense of alarm.

The second Test at Edgbaston starts on Wednesday and patience is wearing thin back home.

“Gautam Gambhir is under significant pressure. The situation is becoming increasingly tense,” former India batsman Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“He has managed two wins against Bangladesh and one against Australia, but we’ve lost three matches to New Zealand, three to Australia and now one to England.

“He has been losing and losing.”

Gambhir, who as a player had a key role in India’s ODI World Cup triumph in 2011, succeeded Rahul Dravid in July last year.

Dravid signed off a largely successful three-year tenure by winning the T20 World Cup.

Gambhir was chosen as his successor almost exactly a year ago but he and his side suffered a significant bloody nose when they went down 3-0 to New Zealand.

It was India’s first Test series defeat at home in 12 years.

Along with chief selector Ajit Agarkar, Gambhir was criticised for leaving middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan out of the squad for England.

Karun Nair was picked ahead of Sarfaraz, who had scores of 68 not out and 56 against a visiting England last year, and made 150 versus New Zealand in Bengaluru.

Agencies