Injury Blow Forces England to Bring Back Forgotten Spinner for 4th Test vs India
Manchester: England have announced their playing XI for the 4th Test against India, starting Wednesday at Old Trafford, and there’s a surprise comeback in the mix.
Off-spinner Liam Dawson has been drafted in to replace the injured Shoaib Bashir, marking his return to Test cricket after eight years. Bashir, who fractured the little finger on his left hand during the third Test at Lord’s, has been ruled out of the rest of the series and is scheduled to undergo surgery later this week.
Bashir sustained the injury while trying to stop a straight drive from Ravindra Jadeja on Day 3. He only bowled 5.5 overs in India’s second innings but ended their chase by dismissing Mohammed Siraj, helping England seal a dramatic 22-run win and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Our XI for the fourth Test is here 📋
One change from Lord's 👊
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 21, 2025
Dawson, 35, last played a Test in July 2017. Since then, he’s been a key figure for Hampshire and was named PCA Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024. His recall adds experience to the side as England aim to wrap up the series.
Meanwhile, pacers Sam Cook and Jamie Overton have been released to play in the County Championship.
England lead the series 2-1, having won in Leeds and Lord’s, while India’s lone win came at Edgbaston.
England XI for 4th Test:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.
