Ben Stokes’ England suffer huge injury blow: Star bowler all but ruled out of 4th Test vs India

Ben Stokes' England National Cricket Team have suffered a massive blow as a star bowler's injury has put him in doubt for the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

The fourth Test of the five-match series between the India National Cricket Team and the England National Cricket Team is set to commence on July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Also Read: Virat Kohli fans attack Shubman Gill for aggression at Lord's, latter's fans hit back

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Shoaib Bashir gets injured during Day 3

The 21-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir suffered an injury during the third match against India at Lord's in London on Day 3 of the play.

The incident happened in the 78th over of the innings when Shoaib Bashir was bowling to the Indian all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

On the fifth ball of the over, Shoaib Bashir bowled a length ball to Ravindra Jadeja, who walked down the track and smashed it hard back to the bowler.

Bashir gave his all and went for the low catch to his left, but he was unable to get hold of the ball and got hit brutally on his left pinkie finger.

He was winching in pain after suffering the blow and immediately asked for a physio. Seeing his situation being terrible, the decision was made to send him off the field to get treatment, and Joe Root was called in to bowl the last ball of the over.

Shoaib Bashir doubtful for Manchester Test

After Bashir left the field with an injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) dropped an official update, stating that the spinner was being assessed by the medical team.

"England spinner Shoaib Bashir is being assessed by the medical team after taking a blow to his left little finger while bowling," the ECB said in a statement on Day 3.

Meanwhile, ahead of the start of Day 4, a Telegraph journalist has confirmed that the young spinner will be available to bowl in the fourth innings, but is unlikely to bat in the third innings of the match. Also, he revealed that the participation of Bashir in the next Test match is highly unlikely.

"Shoaib Bashir’s left pinkie has been assessed overnight. Expected to bowl in fourth innings but sounds like he will only bat if required. Appears to be a major doubt for the fourth Test a week on Wednesday," the Telegraph journalist wrote on X.

Shoaib Bashir’s left pinkie has been assessed overnight. Expected to bowl in fourth innings but sounds like he will only bat if required. Appears to be a major doubt for the fourth Test a week on Wednesday

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) July 13, 2025

It's the uncertainty that makes the third innings hard - England legend

Day 3 of India vs England Lord's Test ended on an intense note as the visiting players clashed with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett over their delaying tactics, and the hosts ended the day with 2/0 in one over.

Speaking on BBC Test Match Special after the end of the day's play, Sir Alastair Cook said that batting in the third innings is tricky. He said:

"Most of the time, the batsmen don't know how to go about it in the third innings. Do you go hard and try to get a win or do you play slow if the match is heading for a draw? It's the uncertainty that makes the third innings hard. But I don't think that'll be an issue for this side. They'll have a target in mind and they'll go after it."

Meanwhile, Michael Vaughan opined that the Three Lions need to bat well on Day 4 and invite India to bat in the last 4-5 overs. He said:

"If England bat really well tomorrow, they can give India maybe four or six overs late in the day. But they cannot be bowling much on day four after bowling on days two and three. They need to make sure the bowlers can have a nice chill-out day and give it all for day five."