England have confirmed their playing XI for the fourth Test against India, starting July 23 at Old Trafford. All-rounder Liam Dawson returns to the Test side after eight years, replacing injured off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who is sidelined following surgery on his left hand. England lead the five-match series 2–1.
Background of the Test Series
England lead the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2–1 after three competitive Tests. The third match at Lord’s ended in a narrow win for the hosts but also resulted in injury setbacks. The fourth Test will be played at Old Trafford from July 23. A win for England would secure the series, while India must win to keep their hopes alive heading into the final match.
Liam Dawson’s Return
England all-rounder Liam Dawson has returned to the Test side after an eight-year gap, replacing Shoaib Bashir for the fourth Test against India in Manchester. Dawson, 35, last played a Test match in 2017 against South Africa. He made his debut during England’s tour of India in 2016, scoring 66 in the first innings and taking two wickets in Chennai. Despite consistent domestic performances, he remained out of contention for several years until earning a recall for this key fixture.
Shoaib Bashir’s Injury Blow
England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against India after sustaining a fracture to the index finger on his left hand during the Lord’s Test. He underwent surgery following the injury and will miss the final two matches. Liam Dawson replaces him in the squad, offering a more experienced option as England look to close out the series.
Why Dawson Was Chosen
Liam Dawson has been selected for the fourth Test based on consistent performances in domestic cricket. The Hampshire all-rounder has played over 200 first-class matches, scoring 10,731 runs and taking 371 wickets. In the 2025 County Championship Division One, Dawson has scored 536 runs from nine matches at an average of 44.66 and claimed 21 wickets with his slow left-arm orthodox bowling. He is currently Hampshire’s top run-scorer this season.
England’s Strategic Shift with Dawson
Liam Dawson has played 212 first-class matches, scoring 10,731 runs and taking 371 wickets. His batting average is over 35, and his bowling average remains in the mid-30s, underlining his credentials as a dependable all-rounder. Notably, Dawson’s run tally exceeds that of any current player in India’s Test squad. Karun Nair, who scored a triple century in his debut series, has over 2,000 fewer first-class runs than Dawson.
England’s selection of Liam Dawson for the fourth Test reflects a tactical shift. With Dawson expected to bat at No.8 and Brydon Carse at No.10, England have reinforced depth in the lower order. Dawson replaces specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir, offering a balanced option with both bat and ball. His inclusion provides flexibility as the team prepares for varied match conditions.
ENGLAND Playing XI:Â Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer
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