ENG vs IND 2025: England provides massive injury update on Shoaib Bashir for Lord's Test

England are sweating for the fitness of their lone off-spinner, Shoaib Bashir, after he damaged his little finger during the third day of the third Test between England and India at Lord’s. Ravindra Jadeja drilled a shot straight down the ground as Bashir, trying to stop the ball, came before it and got hit on the little finger. It was technically a caught-and-bowled chance though.

Bashir was stuck firmly on the hand as he signaled to the dressing room and rushed to the hut with the injured finger, expecting a dislocation, before Joe Root completed the over. The Ben Stokes-led side was hopeful, at the initial stage, of the bowler being available to bowl in the evening session.

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However, the spinner sat with the substitute fielders and didn’t take the field. He bowled on a practice surface before the start of the fourth day’s play with heavy strapping on the fifth and fourth fingers. He will likely bat only if required badly. The official confirmation has put the home side a little on the back foot as there is a huge importance of the bowler on the uneven surface.

England give a massive injury update on Shoaib Bashir in the ENG vs IND 2025 series

‘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.’ The official statement by the England Cricket Board (ECB) was made on the fourth morning.

Bashir has taken nine wickets at nearly 60 in this series, including the wicket of KL Rahul, who drove the spinner lazily on the third day at Lord’s. However, the rest of the wickets have come only by the fielders on the boundary rope. With over a week to go, the spinner will get ample time to recover. If he is not deemed fit to play in Manchester, England will have to find different options.

Liam Dawson or Jack Leach could make a return to the side. Rehan Ahmed could be another option, who will be valuable even with the bat in hand. Jacob Bethell, however, by the head coach, is seen as the spare batter, rather than the number eight.