England had to field a second-string bowling unit against India in the first Test of the five-match series at Headingley, Leeds. Four Indian batters scored tons, with Rishabh Pant hitting hundreds in both innings. Ahead of the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, starting July 2, the question is: will England rush to play speedster Jofra Archer? With Mark Wood currently undergoing rehabilitation after knee surgery in March, he is unlikely to return to the XI before the fifth Test at The Oval. England’s bowling department needs a significant boost to challenge the Indian batters.

Archer, who last played a Test against Pakistan in February 2021, has recently made a comeback to competitive cricket in the County Championship. He picked up a wicket for 32 runs in 18 overs while representing Sussex against Durham. This was his first engagement with red-ball cricket after persistent elbow and back injuries in recent years. Most recently, he suffered a thumb injury while playing in IPL 2025 for Rajasthan Royals.

Ahead of the second Test, as speculation grows about Archer's return, former England captain Nasser Hussain said playing Archer is a "gamble worth taking." However, Hussain expressed caution about slotting him directly into the playing XI for the second Test against India at Edgbaston.

"Firstly, you have to say it is good news for Archer and England in that Jof must have been through so much with those [elbow and back injuries], the rehab, the pain, the mental torment of continually getting injured and making comebacks, so it's great to see him back in the squad… he has not played a Test match for four years," Hussain told Sky Sports.

However, he cautioned against rushing Archer into playing against India at Edgbaston. "I think it is too much of a risk this week, but it may have gone so well — I do not know Jofra Archer's body — it may have gone so well that they say, 'we will play you this week'. Then the problem is, who do you leave out?"

Hussain, however, sees the long-term benefits of Archer's return to the England squad, especially with England set to tour Australia for the Ashes later this year. He said England should target playing him in the Lord's Test instead of Edgbaston.

"I do think it is a gamble worth taking, I just don't know if it is worth taking this week. I would do it a week after at Lord's," said the former captain.

England made a fascinating turnaround in the Leeds Test after India piled up 835 runs, with four batters scoring centuries. England chased down a 371-run target, with 350 runs coming on the fifth day, to claim a 1-0 lead in the long series.