An England star was forced off the field with an injury during the afternoon session of the third day of it his side’s third Test against India.
Ben Stokes’ side clawed their way back into the game after an impressive partnership of 141 between centurion KL Rahul and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
India had looked to be pushing themselves into a position where they could move ahead in the game, before Stokes impressively ran out Pant and Rahul was caught off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir.
The reward came at a cost for Bashir, though, who had to leave the field after being struck on the finger by an effort from Ravindra Jadeja.
The off-spinner had been bowling his 15th over off the game, and was attempting to field off his own bowling when the ball hit his hand and it was confirmed by England’s medial team that he had injured his pinky finger on his left hand.
After consulting his team-mates, Bashir left the field for treatment and his over was finished by Joe Root.
An England star suffered a worrying-looking injury during the third Test against India
Shoaib Bashir hurt his pinky finger on his left hand as he tried to field off his own bowling
Bashir showed off the injury and left the field for treatment in the afternoon session
He consulted captain Ben Stokes and Joe Root had to finish off the off-spinner’s oiver
After fielding the ball – and dropping a tough chance at a catch – Bashir spent a brief period on the floor before jumping up and signalling for a physio.
Stokes looked at the issue and Bashir held up his hand, with television cameras showing his left hand looking a little worse for wear. Bashir’s bowling hand is his right hand.
Jadeja was on 23 at the time of the injury.
Bashir’s selection has been hot a topic of discussion for fans in recent times, with the 21-year-old struggling to pick up wickets in a preferred way, with his dismissals often being players caught in the deep when attacking.
He averages nearly 40 in Test cricket, and has played just 33 First-Class games. Former England star Jack Leach is the preferred spinner at Somerset, meaning Bashir struggles to get in the team.
Still, England have kept faith with him, with no other natural spinner in their squad.
It’s unclear at this time how serious the injury is and whether a replacement or another spinner could be called up to the squad either in Bashir’s place or in addition to him.
