July 23,2025 — A rare moment unfolded during the first session of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford, as Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal had to replace his bat after it was damaged by a sharp delivery from England seamer Chris Woakes.
The incident occurred in the initial overs of India’s innings after captain Rohit Sharma opted to bat first. Facing consistent pressure from the English pace attack, Jaiswal was struck on the lower part of his bat by a rising delivery from Woakes. The force of the ball caused a visible crack in the willow, prompting an immediate halt in play.
Jaiswal briefly inspected the bat before calling for a new one from the dressing room. The match paused for a short period as the replacement was brought out by a support staff member. Despite the interruption, the left-handed batter resumed his innings with confidence and composure.
While broken bats are not unheard of in cricket, such instances are relatively uncommon in the longest format of the game, especially during the early stages of an innings. The incident highlighted the quality and aggression of Woakes’ bowling, as well as the increasing pace demands of modern-day Test cricket.
Commentators and viewers were quick to react to the rare moment, noting both the strength of the delivery and the unexpected equipment failure. Some experts also raised questions about the durability of contemporary cricket bats, which are often engineered for power but may sometimes fall short against high-speed red-ball bowling.
Woakes maintained his rhythm after the break, continuing to challenge India’s top order with disciplined line and length. Jaiswal, who has been one of India’s standout performers in the series, remained focused and continued to accumulate runs steadily.
The fourth Test holds significant importance in the five-match series, with both teams aiming to tilt the balance in their favor. Early exchanges on Day 1 have already set the tone for what promises to be another closely contested battle between two formidable sides.
