England have made a solitary change to their playing XI for the fourth Test against India, replacing injured off-spinner Shoaib Bashir with experienced left-arm spinner Liam Dawson. The match, part of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, begins on July 23 at Old Trafford, with the hosts leading the five-match series 2-1.
The change comes in the wake of Bashir’s unfortunate injury during the third Test at Lord’s. The 20-year-old off-spinner sustained a fracture to the index finger of his left hand while attempting to stop a powerful straight drive from Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Day 3. He underwent surgery shortly thereafter and was ruled out of the remainder of the series.
Despite the injury, Bashir played a key role in England’s narrow 22-run victory at Lord’s, claiming the final wicket to seal the win and put the hosts ahead in the series. His performances in the series had earned praise for both control and temperament, especially for a player so early in his international career.
His replacement, 35-year-old Dawson, returns to the Test fold after an extended absence. The Hampshire all-rounder last featured in a Test match in July 2017 against South Africa, the third of his three Test appearances. His recall has been prompted by a string of consistent performances in the county circuit this season, where he has impressed with both bat and ball.
England’s squad otherwise remains unchanged, with the team showing faith in the core group that delivered victories at Headingley and Lord’s. The series so far has been fiercely contested. England drew first blood with a five-wicket win in Leeds, before India struck back emphatically at Edgbaston, registering a crushing 336-run victory. England then edged the third Test in a nail-biting finish, with Bashir’s dismissal of Mohammed Siraj capping off a memorable match.
With the series finely poised, both teams are expected to go all out in Manchester. India, buoyed by the confirmed return of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, will be eager to level the series. England, on the other hand, will be looking to seal it with a match to spare and avoid a decider at The Oval.
England XI at a glance
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (vc), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer. .
