England Take Massive Call On Jofra Archer Before 2nd T20I vs India

Jofra Archer during 2026 T20 World Cup. [Source- AFP]

In a worrying update for India, England quick Jofra Archer has joined the camp in Manchester after missing the first game for the IND vs ENG 2nd T20I, scheduled to be played at the Old Trafford on Saturday.

The first T20I was washed out after the Indian innings, where the visitors posted 189/7, thanks to sublime half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma & Shreyas Iyer, alongside Shivam Dube's superb finishing touches.

Meanwhile, England only fielded two out-and-out seamers as the ECB rested Jofra Archer after the Test series vs New Zealand, where the right-arm quick played back-to-back in the last two Test matches.

Jofra Archer joins England squad for IND vs ENG 2nd T20I

As reported by Sports Now's journalist Ankan Kar, Jofra Archer has joined the Harry Brook-led England squad for the remaining four T20I matches. The 31-year-old speedster was England’s highest wicket-taker in the ENG vs NZ Tests, despite missing the first match at Lord’s.

Ankan Kar

@AnkanKar

Jofra Archer has joined English Team ahead of 2nd T-20I vs India. #ENGvsIND

Jul 3, 2026, 2:49 PM

Archer will likely be included in the England Playing XI vs India at Manchester. If he comes in, he would replace either Luke Wood or Liam Dawson.

Moreover, the IND vs ENG 2nd T20I would be the first game for the right-arm quick since the 2026 T20 World Cup, where the Three Lions bowed out against India in the semifinal. Archer, in that game, went for 61 runs in four overs, bagging Tilak Varma's wicket on his final delivery.

He came back stronger in the IPL 2026 soon after, where he fired on all cylinders for the Rajasthan Royals, scalping 25 wickets in 16 innings.

How did IND vs ENG 1st T20I fare?

As the rain gods had the final say in Chester-le-Street, the English batters could not get to test themselves against a relatively young Indian bowling attack. However, England's bowlers went all gun blazing against Shreyas Iyer & co.

Although Abhishek Sharma gave the visitors a brisk start with a 24-ball 59, the Indian innings lost the momentum in the middle overs as the skipper and his deputy, Tilak Varma, were batting together.

After the vice-captain’s dismissal, facing 13 balls for as many runs, Iyer took on and scored his maiden half-century as India’s T20I captain. He also became the first Indian skipper to score a T20I fifty in England. However, it was Shivam Dube’s fiery unbeaten 42 that helped the Men in Blue finish on a high.

For England, Saqib Mahmood was the mainstay with the ball, returning with 3 for 33, while Sam Curran bagged him well despite Luke Wood having a poor day at the office. The spin pair of Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson kept it tight in the middle phase.

What are India chance's at Manchester?

With one game down, both India and England will look to take a lead in the series with just four more games to go. The hosts will surely start as favourites, as the Men in Blue are looking off a shambolic series defeat in Ireland. Additionally, Jofra Archer's inclusion will give them a world of confidence. However, the T20 World Champions won't go down without a fight.

Having said that, the weather forecast for Manchester on Saturday is not looking promising at all, with a 55% chance of rain.