England's young spinner Shoaib Bashir has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against India after sustaining a fractured finger on his left hand. The injury, which occurred during the third Test at Lord's, has necessitated surgery and leaves England scrambling to find a suitable replacement for the upcoming matches at Old Trafford and The Oval.
The 21-year-old Bashir suffered the injury on day three of the third Test, July 12, 2025, while attempting a catch off his own bowling. The incident happened as he fielded a powerfully struck drive from India's Ravindra Jadeja, which rebounded off his left hand, fracturing his little finger. Despite the severity of the injury, Bashir showed remarkable grit and determination throughout the remainder of the match.
England captain Ben Stokes expressed his disappointment at the news, stating, "It's not good news for Bash. It's very disappointing for us as a team and for him." He went on to praise Bashir's bravery, adding, "He's 21 years old, he's got a very badly broken finger. To even walk out there and bat. He didn't even ask, he got his pads on, and got his finger strapped up. Every time I looked down at the bench, I could see his face peering saying, 'Get me on'. To finish that game off was written in the stars."
Bashir's courage was on full display as he batted in England's second innings despite the injury, facing nine balls and scoring two runs before becoming the last wicket to fall. His resilience was further demonstrated when he returned to bowl on the fifth day, even with his ring and little fingers heavily bandaged and splinted together. In the 55th over, with England needing two wickets to secure victory, Bashir bowled the final wicket, dismissing Mohammed Siraj. The ball spun sharply, clipped the stumps, and sealed a dramatic 22-run victory for England, giving them a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Stokes described the moment as "an amazing feeling for him to be able to take that wicket there and with his hand in the state that it's in, amazing. Very proud of the way that he went about the rest of the week after having to come off the field." The captain also highlighted Bashir's unwavering commitment, noting that even when off the field, Bashir was eager to contribute, constantly ready to bowl and help his team.
Bashir's injury forces England to reconsider their spin options for the remaining two Tests. Bashir has played every Test since the fourth match of England's tour of India in February 2024, despite not being the first-choice spinner at his county, Somerset. He has taken 10 wickets in the series at an average of 54.10, conceding 541 runs. His performances have been scrutinized, but his recent heroics at Lord's have earned him praise and backing from the team.
Several contenders are in the frame to replace Bashir. Jack Leach, a left-arm spinner with 39 Tests under his belt and Bashir's Somerset teammate, is a leading candidate. Leach has been centrally contracted to England and was part of the squad on recent tours to Pakistan and New Zealand. Another option is Liam Dawson, who recently returned to international cricket after more than two years, impressing with career-best figures of 4 for 20 in a T20 match against the West Indies last month. Dawson has been a standout spinner in this year's County Championship and has re-entered England's T20 setup, making him a viable choice for the longer format as well.
Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who toured New Zealand with England and has played alongside his 17-year-old off-spinner brother Farhan for England Lions against India A, also presents an intriguing option. His leg-spin could add variety to England's attack, especially on pitches offering turn. Additionally, batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who bowls left-arm spin, could be considered to bolster England's batting depth, although coach Brendon McCullum had previously indicated reservations about this option.
Sky Sports cricket analysts Nasser Hussain and Stuart Broad have weighed in on the replacement debate. Hussain emphasized Leach and Dawson as the primary contenders, noting, "For me it is Leach or Dawson. It depends who they want as their second spinner in Australia. You think Bashir is going to go as a second spinner." Broad echoed the sentiment, highlighting the need for a specialist spinner at Old Trafford and praising Dawson's solid performances in the T20 format.
England will announce their squad for the fourth Test, scheduled to begin on July 23, 2025, at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. The fifth and final Test will then take place at The Kia Oval in London from July 31 to August 4. Following a rollercoaster series so far, with England winning the first Test at Headingley by five wickets, India bouncing back with a 336-run victory at Edgbaston, and England clinching a nail-biting 22-run win at Lord's, the series remains finely poised.
Bashir's absence will undoubtedly be felt, given his pivotal role in the recent victory and his evident fighting spirit. His journey from a loan player at Somerset to a key figure in England's Test setup has been remarkable. While the injury is a setback, the options available to England provide hope that the team can maintain their momentum and continue to challenge a strong Indian side.
As the cricketing world awaits the squad announcement, the focus will be on how England's selectors balance experience and youth in their spin department. Whether they opt for the seasoned Leach, the in-form Dawson, or a surprise inclusion like Bethell or Ahmed, the decision will be crucial to England's chances in the final two Tests of this gripping series.
For now, all eyes remain on Old Trafford, where the fourth Test promises to deliver more drama, skill, and the relentless passion that defines Test cricket at its best.
