Dawson takes key wicket on England return as India ends opening day of 4th test 264-4

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Spinner Liam Dawson claimed his first test wicket in eight years after making his England return against India on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Dawson was recalled for the fourth test after Shoaib Bashir was ruled out with a broken finger and was pivotal in a strong second session, which saw England take three of its four wickets on the opening day at Old Trafford.

“It was nice to contribute to the team early on. I’ve said to a few people at the age I’m at, I probably thought that test cricket was gone,” Dawson said. “To be back involved is really cool. I’ve got to try to enjoy each moment I get."

India ended the day 264-4 and had to play out much of the evening session without Rishabh Pant, who retired hurt with an injured foot, raising doubts over whether he can continue in the series.

“He was in a lot of pain, definitely. They have gone for scans and we will probably get to know (how serious it is) tomorrow,” India's Sai Sudharsan said. “He was batting really well today.... it will definitely have consequences (if he is ruled out).”

England was looking to close out the five-match series — taking a 2-1 lead into the match in Manchester. But after captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted bowl, the hosts were frustrated as India reached 78-0 at lunch through the partnership of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

England's best session came after lunch, with Rahul (46) caught by Zak Crawley off Chris Woakes for 94-1.

There were more cheers soon after when Dawson forced an edge from Jaiswal (58) that was caught low by slip fielder Harry Brook to put India at 120-2. It was Dawson's first test since playing South Africa in 2017 and the wicket came on the second over of his return.

“To get that wicket was a nice relief coming back into it. It’s one wicket. I’ve done nothing special,” Dawson said.

Shubman Gill, the top run scorer so far in the series, had only 12 on the board before being trapped leg before wicket by England captain Ben Stokes, leaving India on 140-3.

Stokes gambled by opting to bowl after winning the toss.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, no team had won a test match at Old Trafford after choosing to bowl first.

“There’s pretty decent overhead conditions for bowling so that’s what we’re going to do,” Stokes said after India had lost the toss for the 14th time in a row in an international match.

But that decision began to look questionable as Rahul and Jaiswal withstood England pressure before lunch.

Jaiswal’s innings included his 1,000th run against England before he eventually fell to Dawson and India went to tea at 149-3.

India steadied itself well for the evening session, with Pant building a strong partnership with Sudharsan.

But that was put to an end when Pant (37) retired hurt after attempting a reverse sweep off Woakes and the ball deflected onto his right ankle and foot.

England unsuccessfully appealed for lbw, and Pant was left in pain on the field. He left on a cart. Closeups of his foot showed swelling.

Pant was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja with India on 212-3.

England took its fourth wicket when Sudharsan (61) was caught by Brydon Carse off Stokes.

Play ended early because of dimming light.

There was no sign of the tensions that had been a feature in the heated third test which England won at Lord’s by 22 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Gill said Tuesday that England had acted against the “spirit of the game” by delaying play at Lord’s. Gill was not happy about England batters Ben Duckett and Crawley being late to the crease on the third day of the test.

There were jeers from the crowd as Gill made his way to crease and loud cheers when he was dismissed for just 12.

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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England's Liam Dawson look at the ball during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's Liam Dawson celebrates the dismissal of India's Yashasvi Jaiswal during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's captain Ben Stokes bowls a delivery during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's captain Ben Stokes, second left, and India's captain Shubman Gill, second right, look at coin during toss on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

India's Rishabh Pant driven off the field after getting hurt during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

India's Rishabh Pant driven off the field after getting hurt during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's Liam Dawson look at the ball during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's Liam Dawson celebrates the dismissal of India's Yashasvi Jaiswal during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's captain Ben Stokes bowls a delivery during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot during the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

England's captain Ben Stokes, second left, and India's captain Shubman Gill, second right, look at coin during toss on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, England, July 23, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday even as he has questioned her credibility to take over her country after the U.S. ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro.

The Nobel Institute has said Machado could not give her prize to Trump, an honor that he has coveted. Even if it the gesture proves to be purely symbolic, it was extraordinary given that Trump has effectively sidelined Machado, who has long been the face of resistance in Venezuela. He has signaled his willingness to work with acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who had been Maduro’s second in command.

“I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize," Machado told reporters after leaving the White House and heading to Capitol Hill. She said she had done so "as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”

Trump confirmed later on social media that Machado had left the medal for him to keep, and he said it was an honor to meet her.

“She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done,” Trump said in his post. “Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!”

The White House later posted a photo of Machado standing next to Trump in the Oval Office as he holds the medal in a large frame. A text in the frame reads, "Presented as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people in recognition of President Trump’s principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela.”

Trump has raised doubts about his stated commitment to backing democratic rule in Venezuela, giving no timetable on when elections might be held. Machado indicated that he had provided few specifics on that front during their discussion.

She did not provide more information on what was said.

After the closed-door meeting, Machado greeted dozens of cheering supporters waiting for her near the White House gates, stopping to hug many.

“We can count on President Trump,” she told them without elaborating, prompting some to briefly chant, “Thank you, Trump.”

Before her visit to Washington, Machado had not been seen in public since she traveled last month to Norway, where her daughter received the peace prize on her behalf. She had spent 11 months in hiding in Venezuela before she appeared in Norway after the ceremony.

The jubilant scene after her meeting with Trump stood in contrast to political realities in Venezuela. Rodríguez remains in charge of day-to-day government operations, along with others in Maduro’s inner circle. In her first state of the union speech Thursday, the interim president promoted the resumption of diplomatic ties between the historic adversaries and advocated for opening the state-run oil industry to more foreign investment after Trump pledged to seize control of Venezuelan crude sales.

Trump has said it would be difficult for Machado to lead because she “doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.” Her party is widely believed to have won 2024 elections rejected by Maduro.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Machado “a remarkable and brave voice” but also said the meeting didn’t mean Trump’s opinion of her changed, calling it “a realistic assessment.”

Leavitt told reporters that Trump supported new Venezuelan elections “when the time is right” but did not say when he thought that might be.

Leavitt said Machado had sought the face-to-face meeting without setting expectations for what would occur. She spent about two and a half hours at the White House.

“I don’t think he needs to hear anything from Ms. Machado," the press secretary said while the meeting was still going on, other than to have a ”frank and positive discussion about what’s taking place in Venezuela.”

After leaving the White House, Machado went on to a closed-door meeting with a bipartisan group of senators.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said Machado told them that “if there’s not some progress, real progress towards a transition in power, and/or elections in the next several months, we should all be worried.”

“She reminded us that Delcy Rodríguez is, in many ways, worse than Maduro,” he added.

Asked if Machado had heard any commitment from the White House on holding elections in Venezuela, Murphy said, “No, I don’t think she got any commitment from them."

Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, was exultant following the meeting, saying Machado "delivered a message that loud and clear: What President Trump did was the most important, significant event in Latin America. That getting rid of Maduro was absolutely essential.”

Machado's Washington stop coincided with U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea seizing another sanctioned oil tanker that the Trump administration says had ties to Venezuela. It is part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of the South American country’s oil after U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife less than two weeks ago at a heavily guarded compound in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and brought them to New York to stand trial on drug trafficking charges.

Leavitt said Venezuela's interim authorities have been fully cooperating with the Trump administration and noted that Rodríguez's government said it planned to release more prisoners detained under Maduro. Among those released were five Americans this week.

Trump said Wednesday that he had a “great conversation” with Rodríguez, their first since Maduro was ousted.

Just hours after Maduro's capture, Trump said of Machado that “it would be very tough for her to be the leader.” Machado had steered a careful course to avoid offending Trump, notably after winning the peace prize, and had sought to cultivate relationships with him and key administration voices like Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The industrial engineer and daughter of a steel magnate, Machado began challenging the ruling party in 2004, when the nongovernmental organization she co-founded, Súmate, promoted a referendum to recall then-President Hugo Chávez. The initiative failed, and Machado and other Súmate executives were charged with conspiracy.

A year later, she drew the anger of Chávez and his allies again for traveling to Washington to meet President George W. Bush, whom Chávez considered an adversary.

Almost two decades later, she marshaled millions of Venezuelans to reject Chávez’s successor, Maduro, for another term in the 2024 election. But ruling party-loyal electoral authorities declared him the winner despite ample credible evidence to the contrary. Ensuing anti-government protests ended in a brutal crackdown.

Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela. Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Stephen Groves, Michelle L. Price and Matthew Lee in Washington, and Megan Janetsky in Mexico City contributed to this report.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is welcomed at the Capitol before a meeting with senators, from left, Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., as the Nobel Peace Prize recipient visits American leaders two weeks after President Donald Trump toppled Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a stunning military raid, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, center, leaves the Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, center, is welcomed by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., left, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., far left, and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., right, as the Nobel Peace Prize recipient visits American leaders at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado gestures to supporters on Pennsylvania Avenue as she leaves the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado waves to supporters on Pennsylvania Avenue as she leaves the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado smiles on Pennsylvania Avenue as she leaves the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado waves to supporters on Pennsylvania Avenue as she leaves the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

FILE - U.S. President George Bush, right, meets with Maria Corina Machado, executive director of Sumate, a non-governmental organization that defends Venezuelan citizens' political rights, in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, May 31, 2005. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

FILE - Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gestures to supporters during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro the day before his inauguration for a third term, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, file)