Jofra Archer’s comeback to red-ball cricket continued to pick up momentum as the speedster reached his 50-wicket milestone in Test cricket for England with a three-for against India at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Thursday.

On the second day of the fourth match of the ENG vs IND 2025 Test series, the Rajasthan Royals pacer registered a three-wicket burst to end India’s first innings at 358 and in the process, reached the milestone in 15 matches and 27 innings.

Archer began his rampage by having the dangerous Ravindra Jadeja nick one to Harry Brooks at second slip.

His second wicket ended Rishabh Pant’s valiant knock of 54. The Indian batter, playing with a broken foot, kept frustrating the English bowlers before Archer sent his off-stamp cartwheeling towards the wicketkeeper.

The 30-year-old then accounted for Jasprit Bumrah to wrap up India’s first innings for 358 and reach his milestone. Archer finished with 3/73 in his 26.1 overs.

Archer now has 50 Test wickets in 15 Tests at an average of 29.68. His best figures in the format are 6/45 registered against Australia at the 2019 Ashes encounter in Headingley.

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Archer had made a remarkable return to Test cricket after a four-year-long injury-induced hiatus with a brilliant showing at Lord’s in the third match of the ongoing India vs England series.

Returning to the same venue where he had made his Test debut in the Ashes series six years back, Archer troubled the Indian batters and finished the match with figures of 5/107 in the match.

More importantly, he helped trigger a dramatic final-day collapse that saw India bowled out for 170 in a tense chase of 193. England lead the series 2-1 courtesy of their win at Lord’s and are looking to seal the series in Manchester.

During IPL 2025, Archer also became only the fifth bowler to pick up 50 wickets for RR. He finished the season as the team’s joint-highest wicket-taker with 11 scalps.