England Replace Injured Bashir with Liam Dawson for 4th India Test

With the high-stakes Test series between England and India heating up, the England squad has made a crucial change ahead of the fourth Test match. Talented young spinner Shoaib Bashir has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a fractured finger — and England have called in Liam Dawson, a seasoned left-arm spinner, to step in.

Why Bashir Is Missing

Bashir injured his non-bowling hand while fielding during the third Test at Lord’s. Despite the injury, he bravely continued to bowl and even took the final wicket that sealed England’s thrilling win. However, scans later confirmed a fracture that requires surgery, making him unavailable for the final two matches.

Liam Dawson’s Surprise Return

At 35, Liam Dawson returns to the Test squad after an eight-year gap. Though a surprising pick for many, Dawson’s consistent performances in county cricket made him a worthy candidate. In recent domestic seasons, he’s been among the top wicket-takers and has contributed significantly with the bat as well.

Dawson offers two advantages:

1. Reliable spin bowling on turning tracks.
2. Lower-order batting strength, which could be key on slower pitches later in the series.

This move reflects England’s desire to balance their bowling attack without weakening their batting depth.

What Dawson Brings to the Squad

• Experience: Though he hasn’t played a Test match since 2017, Dawson has played plenty of domestic and white-ball cricket.
• Control: His bowling style is more about consistency and patience than aggressive turn.
• Batting: With a first-class average above 40 in recent seasons, he adds genuine value down the order.

Updated England Squad for 4th Test

With Dawson joining the squad, England’s updated roster includes:

• Batters: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook
• All-Rounders: Ben Stokes (captain), Chris Woakes, Liam Dawson
• Wicketkeeper: Jamie Smith
• Pacers: Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson
• Reserve: Jacob Bethell

Two pacers — Sam Cook and Jamie Overton — have been released back to their county teams to manage workload and team balance.

What This Means for the Series

England currently lead the five-match series 2–1. The upcoming fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester is crucial. If England win, they secure the series. If India win, it sets up a nail-biting decider in the fifth Test.

Dawson’s selection signals a tactical shift: England are aiming for control and depth over raw spin power. With Jofra Archer in form and Stokes leading from the front, the team looks confident heading into the final stretch.

Final Thoughts

Injuries are part of the game, but how a team responds defines champions. Shoaib Bashir’s injury is unfortunate, especially given his rising star status, but England’s faith in Liam Dawson reflects their belief in balance, experience, and versatility.

As the cricketing world turns its eyes toward Old Trafford, one thing is clear — this series is far from over.