The England cricket team named their playing XI for the second Test against India, which will start on Wednesday (July 2) at the Edgbaston Cricket Stadium in Birmingham as they aim to build on their 1-0 lead in the five-match series following their victory in the Leeds Test by five wickets.

The Ben Stokes-led team's announcement has come as an anti-climax as there was no place for Jofra Archer. There was widespread anticipation that the star pacer would play a Test match after four years. However, the hosts have named an unchanged playing XI. Archer was named in the squad for the match but has failed to make the playing XI.

An explanation from England is awaited on Archer's absence, but local media reports have revealed that Archer left England's camp for a family emergency but is expected to rejoin tomorrow, on the eve of the game. It remains to be heard from England if Archer would have been picked if not for the personal situation.

Archer made his first-class cricket comeback last week in a match for Sussex against Durham. Archer bowled 18 overs in the match while giving away 32 runs in 18 overs and taking one wicket. This was the first red-ball match the 30-year-old played since May 2021.

While England has named their XI almost 48 hours before the match for the second time in a row, no such announcement from the Indian team is expected. While changes are certain for the visitors, it is likely to be only made public by Shubman Gill during the toss.

India face some big calls with Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss out with India managing his workload.

England Playing XI vs India 2nd Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir