England all-rounder Liam Dawson made a memorable comeback to Test cricket as he replaced Shoaib Bashir in the playing XI for the fourth Test against India at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, which commenced on Wednesday, July 23. Dawson, a left-arm orthodox spinner, last played a Test match back in 2017 against South Africa at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Since then, he has remained on the fringes of selection, featuring regularly in England’s domestic circuit but without a red-ball recall—until now.
Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed as Liam Dawson breaks his Test wicket drought
In a heartwarming moment for England fans, Dawson ended his eight-year-long wait for a Test wicket when he dismissed in-form Indian opener Jaiswal on the first ball of the 41st over. It was a subtle piece of bowling — flighted and drifting in — that did the trick. Jaiswal, who was solid in defence, played for the turn but the ball went on with the arm, resulting in a thick outside edge. The catch was safely pouched by Harry Brook at first slip, triggering wild celebrations from Dawson and jubilation among England supporters.
It was a long time coming for Dawson, who had found Jaiswal’s edge in his previous over but remained wicketless. His persistence paid off, and the moment was made even sweeter as it marked his first wicket in Tests since 2017.
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Fans erupt as KL Rahul & Yashasvi Jaiswal lead India to wicketless first session on Day 1 of Manchester Test
Jaiswal matches Sunil Gavaskar’s Old Trafford feat
Despite the dismissal, Jaiswal left his mark by scoring a gritty 58 runs. With that, he became the first Indian opener to score a fifty at Old Trafford in the last 50 years — the last being the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, who also made 58 runs against England at the same venue in 1974. Jaiswal’s composed innings was a crucial contribution in India’s steady start to the innings before Dawson’s breakthrough brought England a much-needed moment of relief.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Dawson has deserved every bit of this!
Solid game plans and clearly has become a much much better bowler.Value for over spin on this pitch #ENGvIND
— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) July 23, 2025
I couldn’t be happier for Liam Dawson. What a lovely moment for him. #ENGvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) July 23, 2025
LIAM DAWSON STRIKES ON HIS RETURN!!! #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/MK65ieCxss
— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) July 23, 2025
Liam Dawson gets his first Test wicket in eight years! #YashasviJaiswal #LiamDawson #ENGvsIND #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/96aNXrYEv3
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 23, 2025
Much better session for England’s bowlers! Woakes, stokes and Dawson keeping up the pressure while Carse just looks slightly off it.
Absolutely made up for Liam Dawson getting that wicket on a hugely well deserved Test recall!
More of the same next session, please!#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/nooHP8CIAm
— 2 Blokes Watching Sport (@2bwatchingsport) July 23, 2025
Loved the captaincy of Ben Stokes, bringing in Liam Dawson for getting the wicket of Jaiswal.
Scoring rate is almost the same as first session. And India lost three wickets in this session.
India: 149/3
At the crease
Sai Sudarshan 26*(77)
Rishab Pant 3*(8)There is a green…
— Rathin Dutta 𝕏 (@IamRathinDutta) July 23, 2025
Liam Dawson gets two Test wickets 2900+ apart:
Hashim Amla (8 years before)
Yashswi Jaiswal (8 years after)
Both wickets are of the great openers. #INDvsENG
— Muhammad Uzair (@Uxair11khan) July 23, 2025
Liam Dawson dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Dawson’s first wicket in Test Cricket after 2017.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/pkpOyymFyq— Mrityunjoy (@Mrityunjoy_offl) July 23, 2025
Liam Dawson is bowling beautifully on his return
— Akshith Jha (@AkshithJha88423) July 23, 2025
I just love when bowlers bowl with sunglasses on. It shows who’s the boss imo.
Thank you Liam Dawson! #ENGvsIND— Max Cady From Cape Fear (@patrikbateman62) July 23, 2025
Liam Dawson has his first Test wicket in eight years!
Yashasvi Jaiswal is caught by Harry Brook at slip for 58! #ENGvIND #INDvsENGTest #Dawson pic.twitter.com/TSqAtIlzXc
— Crickupdate (@maulikchauhan13) July 23, 2025
Have to ask why Liam Dawson hasn’t played more in recent years…
— Joe Robinson (@joerob_96) July 23, 2025
After watching 5 overs of Liam Dawson, I think he should be on the flight to Australia and not Bashir.
— Prakash Mahtani (@PrakashMahtani1) July 23, 2025
Someone in Sydney is already shaking in their bedroom after seeing this ball from Liam Dawson. pic.twitter.com/0psQNPgcW2
— Silme (@silme47) July 23, 2025
Age is just a number for Liam Dawson
— AntiBazballian (Joe Root Paglu) (@rs_3702) July 23, 2025
After a gap of 2928 days and 102 Tests, Liam Dawson returns to Test cricket
— BavumaTheKing Temba (@bavumathek83578) July 23, 2025
Liam Dawson is an upgrade over Shoaib Bashir in all 3 departments of the game.
— Vipul (@Vipul_Espeaks) July 23, 2025
Also WATCH: ENG vs IND – Chris Woakes delivers a monster ball that almost destroys Yashasvi Jaiswal’s bat on Day 1 of Manchester Test
