ENG vs IND 2025: Shoaib Bashir’s fitness in doubt after finger injury at Lord’s

ENG vs IND 2025: Shoaib Bashir’s fitness in doubt after finger injury at Lord’s. (Photo source: X)

England are facing a nervous wait over the fitness of off-spinner Shoaib Bashir after he injured the little finger on his left hand during Day 3 of the Lord’s Test against India.

The incident occurred when Bashir was bowling to Ravindra Jadeja, who drove a powerful low shot straight back at him. Although it was technically a caught-and-bowled opportunity, the ball struck Bashir firmly on the hand. He appeared to suffer a dislocation and immediately signalled to the dressing room for medical attention. Joe Root was forced to complete the over.

Initially, the England camp remained hopeful that Bashir might return to bowl in the evening session. However, he stayed off the field and sat alongside the substitute fielders. Ahead of Day 4, Bashir was seen bowling on a practice strip with heavy strapping on his fourth and fifth fingers, but his availability to bat remains uncertain.

“Following his left little finger injury, Shoaib Bashir continues to be monitored and is expected to bowl in the fourth innings of this Test. A decision on whether he will bat in the third innings will be made in due course. His involvement in the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford will be assessed at the end of the match,” said England statement on the fourth day morning.

Bashir has taken nine wickets at an average of 59.44 in the series so far, including the dismissal of KL Rahul on Day 3 at Lord’s in the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. If he is ruled out of the next Test in Manchester, England’s alternative spin options include Liam Dawson, Jack Leach, and Rehan Ahmed. England head coach Brendon McCullum has clarified that Jacob Bethell is viewed as a backup batter rather than a potential No. 8 option.

Speaking about the series, the five-match Test series is evenly poised at 1-1 with the opening Test victory for England at Headingley and an emphatic comeback by India at Edgbaston.

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