For their next five-match visit to the subcontinent, England has added an extra spinner in the form of Shoaib Bashir, keeping in mind the spin-friendly conditions in India. Interestingly, 20-year-old Bashir sprang to prominence in 2023 by upsetting longtime captain Alastair Cook in the County Championship. After that, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) continued to monitor the budding talent, particularly after Jack Leach had an injury prior to the 2023 Ashes series.
It could take him some time to make his debut, according to England’s Director of Cricket, Rob Key, as he wasn’t prepared for international cricket back then. They are keen to send him to India, though, so he can get experience that will be useful in the years to come. Key expressed confidence in Bashir’s ability and said they may even use him to take on India if necessary.
He’s mostly seeking experience, but we won’t hesitate to play him if necessary. Rob Key told BBC Sports, “This is the beginning of a path towards perhaps being a world-class spinner in the future.
Rob Key provides an explanation for why Liam Dawson was dropped.
Apart from his impressive season of capturing 10 wickets with Somerset, Bashir also made an impression on the selectors at their recent camp in the United Arab Emirates. He took Liam Dawson’s spot in the India team when Key clarified that the latter would not participate in any matches while Jack Leach was there and was hence not picked.
He most likely has no desire to go throughout India as the fifteenth or sixteenth man. “I don’t think it’s high on his agenda to be going as essentially a replacement bowler if he’s not going to play,” Key stated.
The first Test match between India and England is scheduled on January 25 in Hyderabad. In addition to playing a warm-up match to acclimate to the conditions, the Ben Stokes-led team is anticipated to arrive in the sub-continent around the second week of January.
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