In what can only be described as a bizarre yet amusing moment, the IPL 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) was marked by an unexpected spectacle when England’s Liam Livingstone lost grip of his bat, sending it soaring through the air.
The incident, which turned heads and sent fans into fits of laughter, occurred in the 9th over of RCB’s innings. Facing a back-of-a-length delivery from GT’s pacer Ishant Sharma, Livingstone attempted a guide towards third man but instead lost control of his willow. The bat spun wildly before making an unceremonious landing onto the pitch, while Livingstone, unfazed, completed his single with a dash.
The video clip capturing this unexpected mishap spread like wildfire across social media platforms, with cricket enthusiasts sharing and reacting to the comical moment. The bat-in-air spectacle not only provided a light-hearted interlude but also became one of the most talked-about moments from the match.
Despite the early stumble in their batting lineup, RCB found themselves in hot water after GT’s captain elected to field first. The top order crumbled under the pressure of GT’s aggressive bowling attack, led by Mohammed Siraj who was instrumental with figures of 3/19. RCB’s star batsman, Virat Kohli, could only muster 7 runs before being sent back to the pavilion. Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, and Devdutt Padikkal also fell short of making a significant impact, leaving RCB reeling at 49 for 4 by the end of the 8th over.
However, it was Livingstone who fought back valiantly, showcasing his power-hitting prowess. He scored a fighting 54 off 40 balls, including five towering sixes. His crucial partnerships with Jitesh Sharma, who contributed 33 off 21, and later with Tim David, who notched up 32 off 18, helped RCB recover to a fighting total of 169 for 8.
This match, filled with unexpected twists and strong performances, remains a testament to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, with Livingstone’s flying bat incident adding a memorable chapter to IPL folklore.