Team India’s middle-order batsman Karun Nair, who is still searching for form in the ongoing Test series against England, might just get a stroke of luck in the Manchester Test — thanks to a surprising figure: England’s very own version of Ravindra Jadeja, Liam Dawson.

While it may sound odd to associate Ravindra Jadeja with England, the reference is symbolic. Liam Dawson, a left-arm spinner and a gritty lower-order batsman, mirrors Jadeja’s all-round skills and calm temperament. After an 8-year hiatus, Dawson has earned a recall to England’s squad for the final Test at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Dawson's Record — Why the Comparison?

• 3 Test matches for England

• 7 wickets and 84 runs in Tests

• In 212 First-Class matches, Dawson has:

  • Scored 10,731 runs, including 18 centuries

  • Taken 317 wickets with his left-arm spin

His dual ability with bat and ball, much like Jadeja, adds depth to the England side.

A 9-Year-Old Connection: Chennai 2016

Here's where the plot thickens. The last time Liam Dawson played a Test against India was in December 2016, in Chennai — the very match in which Karun Nair scored a record-breaking unbeaten 303 runs. That triple century came after two low scores in his first two Test innings (4 and 13). Incidentally, it was Dawson’s debut Test as well.

Now, 9 years later, both players find themselves in the same Test match scenario again — India vs England, and Karun Nair once again struggling for consistency. So far in this series, Nair has managed only 131 runs in 6 innings, with a highest score of 40.

Can History Repeat Itself?

While cricket runs on skill and form, it also often surprises us with moments of déjà vu. The fact that Dawson’s inclusion coincides with Karun Nair’s opportunity in Manchester has sparked excitement among fans and followers who remember the Chennai epic. Could Dawson's presence somehow align the stars for another Karun Nair special?