London, Jul 13, 2025: England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir is being closely monitored after injuring his left-hand little finger while attempting a return catch off Ravindra Jadeja during the third day of the ongoing Lord’s Test against India.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Bashir sustained what appeared to be a dislocation when Jadeja smashed a powerful low drive back at him. The spinner immediately signaled to the dressing room for medical attention and did not complete his over, which was finished by Joe Root.
On Sunday morning, England released a statement confirming Bashir’s status:
“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.”
Bashir did not take the field again on Day 3 and spent the remainder of the day on the sidelines with substitute fielders. Ahead of Day 4, he was seen bowling in the nets with heavy strapping on his fourth and fifth fingers, but his availability for batting remains uncertain.
So far in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Bashir has taken nine wickets at an average of 59.44, including the dismissal of KL Rahul on Day 3.
If he is ruled out of the next Test at Old Trafford, England could consider alternate spin options like Jack Leach, Liam Dawson, or Rehan Ahmed.
Match Summary
At stumps on Day 3, England were 2/0 in their second innings, with Zak Crawley (2)* and Ben Duckett (0)* at the crease.
Earlier, England posted 387 runs in their first innings, powered by a century from Joe Root (104), supported by Ollie Pope (44) and a counter-attacking **82-run
