In a dramatic moment during the opening session of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford, Manchester, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s bat handle snapped while facing Chris Woakes. The incident, which occurred in the ninth over, turned out to be the highlight of the morning session, drawing gasps from the crowd.Woakes, bowling at a modest 126kph, got the ball to nip back sharply from a good length and bounce unexpectedly. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Jaiswal, attempting a defensive shot, was left stunned as the ball struck the splice of the bat, cracking the handle cleanly. The 23-year-old opener signalled for a new bat immediately but continued to remain unfazed at the crease, anchoring India’s solid start. Watch:England captain Ben Stokes had won the toss and opted to bowl under overcast conditions, expecting early movement. However, the Indian openers, Jaiswal and KL Rahul, have been impressive in blunting the English attack. At lunch, India stands at 78/0 after 26 overs, with Jaiswal unbeaten on 36 off 74 balls and Rahul solid on 40 off 82.
Poll
Should India continue to bat cautiously or be more aggressive?
The English bowlers have struggled to find consistency, with Woakes (24/0) and Archer (15/0) bowling probing spells but failing to induce mistakes. Brydon Carse has been slightly expensive, conceding 24 runs in his five overs. Stokes, who bowled five steady overs for just 14 runs, will be eager to make inroads after lunch.India’s strategy has been clear: weather the initial storm and build a strong platform. Both openers have rotated strike smartly while punishing loose deliveries. For England, the lack of early wickets has been frustrating, as the pitch, though firm, has offered some seam movement.With the series on the line, this solid start gives India an edge going into the second session.
