IND vs ENG: Disaster for England! Star Spinner Ruled Out of Final Two Tests vs India
Shoaib Bashir ruled out of final two India Tests due to finger injury, leaving England’s spin options wide open.
England’s spin plans for the India series have taken a major hit. Shoaib Bashir, their main spinner this series, has been officially ruled out of the final two Tests. The news came right after England’s tense win at Lord’s, which levelled the five-match series 1-1.
Bashir injured his finger on Day 3 of the Lord’s Test while fielding off his own bowling. A Ravindra Jadeja drive hit him straight on the hand, and though he continued to bowl, the damage was already done. After scans, England’s team management confirmed that the 21-year-old has a fractured finger and will need surgery.
He will miss both the fourth and fifth Tests of the series. The fourth Test begins on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Bashir’s Numbers And England’s Replacement Puzzle
At Lord’s, Shoaib Bashir bowled fewer than six overs in India’s second innings but managed to take the final wicket, Mohammed Siraj, to seal the win for England.
Across three Tests in this series, the off-spinner has taken 10 wickets at an average of 54.10 and a strike rate of 84.4.
While the numbers don’t pop out, his ability to hold one end and break partnerships made him a valuable part of England’s bowling plans.
Now that he’s out, England will need to find a replacement quickly. Jack Leach is the most experienced option, while Rehan Ahmed and Liam Dawson are also in the mix.
