During the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford, Manchester, an unusual and unexpected moment stole the spotlight. Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s bat snapped dramatically during play, leaving fans both shocked and amused. The rare incident sparked laughter across the stadium and on social media, adding a quirky twist to an otherwise intense contest.
Chris Woakes’ fiery delivery almost breaks Yashasvi Jaiswal’s bat in half at Old Trafford
On Day 1 of the Old Trafford Test between India and England, an unusual moment unfolded in the ninth over of India’s first innings that left even seasoned viewers startled. Chris Woakes, operating with impeccable control, delivered a seam-up ball at a modest pace of 126kph. What appeared to be a regulation-length delivery suddenly came alive off the surface, sharply seaming back into the left-handed Jaiswal.
Jaiswal, known for his solid technique, instinctively shaped up to defend. However, he was clearly undone by the late movement. The ball struck the splice of his bat the point between the blade and the handle with such force that it caused a noticeable dislodging of the handle. Though the bat didn’t snap in two, the structural damage was evident, and the handle visibly wobbled and shifted in his grip as he completed the shot.
For a brief moment, Jaiswal stood frozen, visibly stunned, looking down at his bat in disbelief. The awkward recoil of the handle served as a startling visual cue not just of the bat’s compromised state, but of the treacherous pitch conditions early in the day. The incident underscored how much lateral movement and seam assistance the Old Trafford surface was offering — even at sub-130kph pace.
Here’s the video:
Bat be like “mujhe kyun toda?” 😭🏏#ENGvIND 👉 4th TEST, DAY 1 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/0VxBWU8ocO pic.twitter.com/q80vIuwqIj
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 23, 2025
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Indian openers shown remarkable composure in first session
India’s openers showed impressive composure and discipline in the morning session on Day 1 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. After England won the toss and opted to bowl under overcast conditions, Yashasvi and KL Rahul navigated the new ball challenge with maturity, guiding India to 68 runs till 24th over. Jaiswal, known for his aggressive stroke play, curbed his instincts and played a patient knock of 28 not out off 68 balls.
At the other end, Rahul looked solid in defense and rotated the strike effectively, remaining unbeaten on 38. The pair blunted the early movement on offer and didn’t give the England pacers any opportunity. Despite testing spells from Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer, India’s openers remained unfazed, laying a strong foundation for the visitors. With wickets in hand and conditions easing, India will look to capitalize in the second session and post a big first-innings total.
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