Luke Wood out, debutant Josh Tong named in England’s T20 squad

England’s management has opted to swap left‑arm seamer Luke Wood for 28‑year‑old Josh Tong ahead of the second T20 against India in Manchester. Tong, a right‑handed batsman who bowls left‑arm fast, will make his international T20 debut, adding a fresh dimension to the pace unit.

The move comes together with the recall of Jofra Archer, who replaces Sakib Mahmood. Archer’s recent performances in the New Zealand Test series – two games, 11 wickets, Player of the Series – and a productive IPL 2026 campaign have convinced selectors that he is ready to impact the shortest format.

The series opener ended without a result after rain halted England’s chase of India’s 189‑run total. With the series now balanced at 0‑0, England hopes that the new combination of Archer’s experience and Tong’s enthusiasm will give them the edge in the upcoming Saturday night fixture, slated for 7 pm Indian time.