ENG vs IND 2025: Liam Dawson returns to England Test setup after eight years to replace Shoaib Bashir

Shoaib Bashir injured himself while attempting a catch to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja off his own bowling on Day 3 of the third Test between India and England at Lord's. The 21-year-old off-spinner did not field on Day 3, but he did walk out to bat on the penultimate day of the Test match, scoring two runs off nine balls before being dismissed by Washington Sundar. On Day 5, Bashir was introduced into the attack when the England pacers were failing to take the final wicket as India were chasing a 193-run target in the fourth innings. He took the final wicket of Mohammed Siraj to help the Three Lions take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

However, this turns out to be his last involvement in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 as he has been ruled out of the last couple of games. Bashir will undergo surgery on his left little finger. His absence has opened the door for the experienced Liam Dawson, who is one of the most consistent performers in the County circuit.

Dawson's last Test appearance came against South Africa in July 2017. He has three Test appearances, bagging seven wickets. However, he recently played the T20I series against the West Indies at home last month. Dawson finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker, with five scalps from three games.

In first-class cricket, Dawson, 35, has played 212 matches, picking up 371 wickets at an average of 31.54. He is also a very handy batter down the order, with a first-class average of 35.29, including 56 fifties and 18 centuries. Dawson is a left-arm spinner who is generally very accurate. The likes of Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, and Tom Hartley were also in contention after Bashir's injury. However, the Three Lions have decided to go in with the Swindon-born.

"Liam Dawson deserves his call-up. He has been in outstanding form in the County Championship and consistently puts in strong performances for Hampshire," national selector Luke Wright said in an ECB statement.

England squad for fourth Test against India: Ben Stokes (C), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes