The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday confirmed by tweeting that their star fast bowler Jofra Archer will not be a part of the upcoming Ashes series after being ruled out of the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Apart from this, he is out of the entire English summer. The ECB confirmed the news when announcing the England team squad for the one-off Test against Ireland.
Archer has not played any Test match since March 2021. Image- Sky247.net
Before the domestic Ashes series (Ashes 2023) in next month, the England cricket team has suffered a major setback. Their veteran fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the entire series due to an elbow fracture. Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow will return after recovering from a triple leg break and will take the wicketkeeping gloves from Ben Foakes. There is also fast bowler Chris Woakes, who will return to the national level for the first time since March 2022. The 15-member squad will also remain unchanged during the New Zealand tour. England has appointed batsman Ollie Pope as Ben Stokes' deputy with immediate effect.
Jofra Archer was playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023. But he had ruled out due to injury in the middle of the season. Archer has not played any Test match since March 2021. He was running out of international cricket for almost two years due to injury. He made a comeback earlier this year. But once again injury has caught up with Jofra Archer.
We know you'll be back stronger, Jof ❤️
💬 “We wish him the best of luck with his recovery. I’m sure we'll see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England."
Earlier, the news of an injury to England's experienced fast bowler James Anderson also came to the fore. He suffered a groin injury during Lancashire's most recent County Championship match against Somerset at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. Anderson is also doubtful for the one-off Test against Ireland starting June 1.
The ECB's managing director for men's cricket, Rob Key said, "It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra Archer. He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury, which kept him out for an extended period previously. We wish him the best of luck with his recovery. I'm sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format. Hopefully, sooner rather than later."
ENG vs IND: England announce squad for the first Test against India
England have named a 14-member squad for the first Test of ENG vs IND starting 20 June at Headingley, Leeds, with experienced pacer Chris Woakes making a return to red-ball cricket.
The England and Wales Cricket Board on Thursday announced a 14-member squad for the first Test of the five-match series against India. The ENG vs IND five-match Test series is starting from June 20. The first match will be played at Headingley on June 20, 2025.
Fast bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton has returned. He has been included in the team in place of injured Gus Atkinson. Jamie has returned after the match against New Zealand in June 2022.
Atkinson was unavailable for selection due to a right hamstring injury suffered during the Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.
Carse, Woakes included in the squad
Fast bowlers Brydon Carse, Jacob Bethell and Chris Woakes have also been named in the squad, who last played during the New Zealand Test tour in December. The India A side are already in the United Kingdom, playing warm-up games against England Lions.
Woakes, known for his effectiveness in home conditions, especially at Lord’s, last featured prominently in 2018 against India, where he claimed four wickets and smashed an unbeaten 137.
Young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who starred with nine wickets against Zimbabwe, retains his spot as the lone specialist spinner. IPL winner Jacob Bethell and seamer Sam Cook, both of whom impressed recently, have also earned call-ups.
Ben Stokes to lead the team
England will field a significantly altered team compared to the last time they faced India in early 2024. James Anderson has since retired, while Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson are the other notable absentees from the squad.
Ben Stokes, who returned from a hamstring injury in that Zimbabwe Test, will lead England against India in a five-match series that marks the start of both teams’ campaigns in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.
23-27 July 2025 - Fourth Test, Emirates Old Trafford
31 July-4 August 2025 - Fifth Test, Kia Oval
ENG vs IND | England full squad
Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
The Most Valuable Player in IPL is the cricketer who earns the most points on the MVP Chart of a particular season. Before the 2013 season, the best player of an IPL season received the 'IPL Man of the Series' title. However, the organizers changed it to the IPL Most Valuable Player in 2013.
How do players get the IPL Most Valuable Player award?
There is a special rating system, under which the cricketers earn points for fours, sixes, wickets, catches, dot balls, and stumpings. For every four, the player gets 2.5 points, while a maximum earns him 3.5 points.
A catch or a stumping is equal to 2.5 points, and a wicket gets the player 3.5 points. The bowler earns one point for every dot ball bowled. The leader of this standing takes the IPL Most Valuable Player trophy home.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson won the Most Valuable Player award in its inaugural edition in 2013. Watson had undone the damage to his IPL prospects that year with all-round performance for the Rajasthan Royals. With 22 sixes, 59 boundaries, 6 catches, and 13 wickets, Watson edged past the big Chris Gayle by 37 points to clinch the Most Valuable Player once again.
A packed Chennai crowd also witnessed Shane Watson's first IPL 100. Incidentally, Watson's 61-ball 101 was also the first century of the 2013 edition of the IPL
After failing to find a spot on the Australian side in 2014, Glenn Maxwell staged a fantastic show in the 7th edition of the IPL. The all-rounder Maxwell scored as many as 552 runs in the tournament, during which he also smashed 36 sixes and 48 fours, all at a strike rate of 187.75.
The Aussie fell agonizingly short of a maiden IPL century – he blasted CSK's bowlers to get to a 38-ball 95. Although Kings XI Punjab lost in a thrilling final against the Knight Riders, Glenn Maxwell would have cherished the 2014 season of the IPL for his stellar run.
Kolkata's Caribbean Knight Andre Russell was power personified as far as the 2015 IPL was concerned. The broad-shouldered all-rounder set the IPL on fire with stellar performances lower down the order. Russell was the bright spot of KKR's deep batting order, as the Caribbean genius scored 326 runs through the course of the season.
Russell could brag about his 21-ball 51 against Kings XI Punjab which helped KKR steeple a target of 183. A strike rate of 192.29 stood out in Andre Russell's scintillating season. Don't forget his 14 wickets and 6 catches.
The 9th edition of the IPL pulled every available spotlight on just one man, Virat Kohli. Former Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper was in mint form, as he seemed to have no difficulty in racking up immense runs. Virat Kohli came tantalizingly close to 1,000 runs in a single IPL season, finishing with 973.
En route to yet another blotched IPL final, Kohli hammered 4 centuries – which was the most by a batsman in a single IPL season – and comfortably snapped the Orange Cap. Despite a disappointing end to the season, Virat Kohli had taken the IPL by storm by his insatiable hunger for T20 runs.
The tag of 'Most Valuable Player' was attached to Ben Stokes long before he took the field in the 2017 edition of the IPL. Stokes fetched Rs. 14.5 crore and was set to ply his skills for the Rising Pune Supergiant. He didn't disappoint his selectors who invested big money in him. Stokes proved his worth and added the title of Most Valuable Player alongside his already existing tag of Most Expensive Overseas Player.
Although he was dearly missed in the final, Stokes had amassed 316 runs at 31.60 before he left on national duty. The Big Ben lit up the IPL with a stellar century against the Gujarat Lions and was also instrumental in the Pune's impenetrable death-bowling. Stokes bagged a total of 12 wickets while maintaining a miserly economy rate of 7.18.
Sunil Narine became the second cricketer after Shane Watson to become the most valuable player of IPL twice. After IPL 2012 he won the prestigious award once again in 2018. By this time he not only proved himself as an excellent bowler but also as a great hard-hitting opener.
He completely justified the roles given to him by giving an extreme start to KKR in the powerplay in most of the matches and also helped the team to reach the playoffs. In 16 matches he scored 357 runs with a strike rate of 189.89 and took 17 wickets with an economy rate of 7.65. One of his most magnificent knocks from IPL 2018 is his half-century in only 17 balls against RCB.
Once again a player from KKR became the most valuable player of IPL 2019 following Sunil Narine in 2018. Andre Russell also became the third cricketer to be in the MVP award twice in IPL history after Shane Watson and Sunil Narine. By this time, he proved himself as a batter who could win matches in dire situations.
In 2019 IPL Russell completely thrashed boundaries all around and literally played with the opponent bowlers. He aggregated 510 runs in only 14 matches with an out-of-the-ordinary strike rate of 204.81. He not only restricted himself with batting but also picked up 11 wickets for KKR while bowling in the death overs mostly.
Rajasthan Royals' all-rounder Jofra Archer claimed the IPL Most Valuable Player award in 2020. The English player topped the MVP standings with 305 points to his name.
Archer picked up 20 wickets, bowled 175 dot deliveries, smashed five fours and ten sixes as well as took five catches to beat the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rashid Khan to become the Most Valuable Player in IPL 2020. No other player could score 300 MVP points last year.
The Most Valuable Player of IPL 2021 is Harshal Patel from Royal Challengers Bangalore. With 264.5 points, the cricketer had an amazing season this year. Starting from taking crucial wickets to winning the Purple Cap, Game-changer of the season, picking the highest number of wickets in IPL, he did it all. He had a dreamy season after making a comeback to RCB from DC. Also, he took a 4 wicket haul and a 5 wicket haul this season as well.
Suryakumar Yadav | 2025
Mumbai Indians batter Suryakumar Yadav has been named the Most Valuable Player for IPL 2025. The MI middle-order star finished the season with 717 runs to his name from 16 matches, registering his best season so far averaging, 65.18. He struck five half-centuries in the course of the tournament, emerging as MI’s highest run-scorer in IPL 2025. SKY is the second MI batter to win the Most Valuable Player of the season award after Sachin Tendulkar in 2010.
Journey through Indian Test cricket history to find out the 5 youngest cricketers to lead India in Tests. Learn about the early leadership and how the recently appointed test captain, Shubman Gill, joins this elite group.
In Test cricket, captaincy is often associated with experience and seasoned wisdom, which matters in the long format. However, young talents step up early and prove how they are worthy of leadership.
With Shubman Gill stepping up as the new test captain for India, let's take a moment to celebrate the youngest cricketers to lead India in tests.
Here we bring you the five youngest cricket to ever represent India in tests as a captain.
5. Shubman Gill (25 years 285 days) | 2025
Shubman Gill representing India in tests. Image | BBC
The newest nameto join this list of young Indian test captains is Shubman Gill. At the age of 25 years and 285 days, Gill became the 37th test captain of India, and is set to lead in the longest format of the game.
The Indian team will play under Gill's captaincy with the commencement of five-match test series against England on June 20, 2025. This was a major change in the test squad after the former captain, Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli, announced retirement from tests.
Gill made his test debut against Australia in December 2020, and scored 1893 runs, with 5 centuries and 7 fifties so far. With this new turnaround in his career, he became the 5th youngest cricketer to lead India in tests.
Ravi Shastri representing India in tests. Image | ESPNcricinfo
A prominent all-rounder and later a successful coach for the Indian team, Ravi Shastri also briefly held the reins of Test captaincy. He took on the role at the age of 25 years and 229 days, when he led India against West Indies on January 11, 1988.
His captaincy tenure was limited to a single match, but it was a memorable one, as India secured a victory by 255 runs. Shastri scored 3830 runs and took 151 wickets in his test career, that spanned from 1981 to 1992.
3. Kapil Dev (24 years 48 days) | 1983
Kapil Dev representing India in tests. Image | NDTV
The legendary all-rounder, Kapil Dev stepped into test captaincy for India at the age of 24 years and 48 days. His first match as a captain was against West Indies on February 23, 1983.
Dev captained India in 34 matches and proved how he was worthy of the position with true leadership skills at such young age. He took 434 wickets and scored 5248 runs in his test career (1978-1994).
He is still the youngest captain to win the World Cup for any team, and comes third in the list for youngest cricketers to lead India in tests.
Sachin Tendulkar representing India in tests. Image | NDTV
One of the greatest batsmen of all time, Sachin Tendulkar also had his tenure as the test captain of India at the age of 23 years and 169 days. He first took on the captaincy to lead India in a match against Australia, in 1996.
Tendulkar's captaincy journey had two phases, with him leading in 25 matches. He had an incredible test career with 15921 runs in 200 matches, which is still the highest by any batter in the world!
1. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (21 years 77 days) | 1962
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi representing India in tests. Image | Instagram
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi remains India's youngest ever test captain, having taken the role at the age of just 21 years and 77 days! He was famously known as 'Tiger' Pataudi in the field of cricket.
He captained India in 40 matches out of his 46-match test career. Despite losing his right eye in an accident early in his career, he continued to play and lead with brilliant skills and courage.
Pataudi scored 2793 runs, smashing 6 centuries and 16 half-centuries in his test career (1961-1975).
ENG-A vs IND-A: Karun Nair makes solid return to India set up; scores unbeaten 186 on Day 1
Karun Nair headlined the day with a solid, unbeaten 186 with the bat for India A against England Lions, in the first unofficial test match. Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel also scored fifties.
India A started their England tour on a great note with a solid Day 1 display against the England Lions in Canterbury. Karun Nair headlined the day with a solid, unbeaten 186 with the bat for India A.
England Lions captain James Rew won the toss and decided to bowl first on a greenish pitch at the St. Lawrence Ground.
When it looked like that, Rew took the right decision of bowling first, Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair put up a 181-run partnership for the third wicket to give India A the advantage after Day 1’s play.
Karun Nair, who last played a test match in 2017, continued his great form and completed his fifty in 85 balls.
Soon, Sarfraz Khan, who was dropped from the test squad, completed his fifty in 84 balls as well. When both batters were looking to get to the hundred mark first, Sarfraz was caught down the leg side on 92 off 119 balls and missed his ton.
Sarfaraz Khan gets dismissed 8 short of a well-deserved hundred.
Sarfaraz was looking good but was eventually caught down the leg side on 92.
Nair, who was dropped on 89 off Ajeet Singh Dale, completed his 24th first-class ton off 155 balls.
Post that, incoming batter Dhruv Jurel and Nair started smashing the bowlers and changed their gears. Nair reached the landmark of 150 in 205 balls while Jurel reached his fifty in just 68 balls.
At the end of Day 1 of the 4-day unofficial test match, Jurel remained unbeaten on 82 off 104 balls while Nair remained unbeaten on 186 from 246 balls, with India A finishing with 409/3.
Most wickets vs England in England for India in tests
Ishant Sharma has taken the most wickets vs England in England for India in tests. Kapil Dev, Jasprit Bumrah and a few other Indian legends follow him on the list.
Indian bowlers, especially pacers, have always waited for the tour of England since it produces seam-friendly pitches, which help them get more wickets. From legends of yesteryears like Kapil to modern-day greats like Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, they have had success in England against England.
With another England tour forthcoming, we present you the list of bowlers with the most wickets vs England in England for India in tests.
1. Ishant Sharma | 48 Wickets
Ishant Sharma during his 5-wicket haul against England in 2018. Image | Cricshots
Ishant Sharma has the most wickets vs England in England for India in tests. He is widely known for his pace and wicket-taking abilities. He took 48 wickets in 14 matches, with an economy of 3.29.
Ishant's ability to make the ball come in from a difficult length has worked well on English conditions. Moreover, his short-ball strategy during the 2014 series at Lord's helped India register a famous win in England.
Kapil Dev in action against England in a test match. Image | ESPNcricinfo
The Indian legend, Kapil Dev, is the second-highest wicket-taker in the list with 43 wickets in 13 matches played. The former Indian captain has an exceptional record against England and dominated on their home soil throughout his career.
Kapil's incredible outswing always had the batters guessing and with his ability to clean up tails, also helped him get many wickets in those conditions.
Dev stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Maidens
Overs
Economy
Avg
BBI
BBM
1979-1990
13
22
43
129
563.1
2.99
39.18
5/125
8/168
3. Jasprit Bumrah | 37 Wickets
Jasprit Bumrah celebrating a wicket in a test match vs ENG in 2021. Image | ESPNcricinfo
One of the most successful bowlers of this era, Jasprit Bumrah, climbed up the ladder really fast in his career. His finest skillset and ability to generate steep bounce and challenging seam movement with his unorthodox bowling action, got him 37 wickets in just 8 matches (15 innings) so far, and there's more to come in the future.
Anil Kumble celebrating a successful dismissal during his test career for India. Image | YouTube
Anil Kumble holds the fourth place for most wickets vs England in England for India in tests. He took 36 wickets in 10 matches, which is commendable for a spinner in such conditions.
Kumble was the senior-most bowler of the squad during that time, and was often described as bowling "faster" for a spinner, that too with high accuracy. His spin deliveries was considered to be as fast as a "jumbo jet."
Kumble's stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Maidens
Overs
Economy
Avg
BBI
BBM
1990-2007
10
19
36
113
524.5
2.84
41.41
4/66
7/159
5. Bishan Singh Bedi | 35 Wickets
Bishan Singh Bedi in action for India during his test career. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Bishan Singh Bedi is the one name that stands out while discussing the wicket-taking rate against England. Bedi's incredible stat as a spinner in pace bowling friendly conditions like England sets him apart from the rest.
He took 35 wickets in 12 matches (18 innings), with an economy less than 3. Bedi also has the highest number of maidens among all the players in this list.
Singh Bedi stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Maidens
Overs
Economy
Avg
BBI
BBM
1967-1979
12
18
35
133
524.5
2.54
38.08
6/226
6/111
6. Mohammed Shami | 34 Wickets
Mohammed Shami playing against England in a test match in 2022. Image | Instagram
Mohammad Shami has a brilliant overseas record, and only a few Indian bowlers can be at the level with him. He has 34 wickets in 12 matches to his name, with an economy of 3.56.
Shami consistently hits challenging lengths, which makes him a wicket-taker against England batters. His unfortunate absence in the upcoming Test squad against England therefore became a point of concern for the fans.
Shami's status vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Maidens
Overs
Economy
Avg
BBI
BBM
2014-2022
12
21
34
65
402.3
3.56
42.14
4/57
6/108
7. B. S. Chandrasekhar | 31 Wickets
B.S. Chandrashekhar in action for India during his test career. Image | Heritage Times
The wizard of leg spin, B.S. Chandrashekhar, makes his way up here with 31 wickets in 9 matches against England on their home soil. He had a phenomenal bowling figure in a match with 8 wickets (conceding 114 runs).
His most cherished performance against England came in the 1971 Oval Test, where he took 6 wickets for 38 runs, leading India to secure their first series victory on the English soil.
Zaheer Khan celebrating a successful dismissal in a match against England in 2011. Image | Firstpost
One of India's most celebrated pace bowlers, Zaheer Khan, holds the eighth position with 31 wickets in only 8 away matches vs England. The former left-arm pacer was one of the best for India during his era.
Zaheer had made legends like Alastair Cook his bunny with his lethal outswingers, going away from Cook. He was the best of his time, who significantly enhanced India's bowling strength.
Khan's stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Maidens
Overs
Economy
Avg
BBI
BBM
2002-2011
8
14
31
81
296.5
2.92
27.96
5/75
9/134
9. Ravindra Jadeja | 22 Wickets
Ravindra Jadeja in action for India in a test match against England. Image | Instagram
Ravindra Jadeja, who is one of India's key all-rounders, holds the ninth position with 22 wickets in 10 matches. He is equally good with the bat as he is with spinning the ball for his nation.
Jadeja's ability to bowl long spells with variations, makes him a vital asset for the Indian team.
Vinoo Mankad in action for India during his test career. Image | Cricket Times
Vinoo Mankad stands out from an early era. The former all-rounder truly made his mark on England soil by taking 20 wickets in just 6 matches.
With his tight bowling and impeccable lengths, Mankad made the most out of the English conditions and proved why he was considered one of the best of his generation.
Follow Us/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/af022d3ee6fe90397c480e25618d2ec6ef4d4c23c549bc025cd14715a85be316.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/9424f621d7a3f1730d843c2cc9e5fc2ce7f21af6d22901b239cc66c852be07fb.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/a6eb188309488fba71a7ce6e08c0eed75d83063e95f6af4c7d59c82f04d13900.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Ben-Stokes-3.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/a2f0895af1d2f6316a44702787f6edd37eb5a5bc03acf227109b0352df487a87.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/048e88da348629c7ffc5167262a62e8a2e7d8220d1714bba15c04654f0db7f5f.jpeg)
