This day, that year: Yuvraj Singh hits six sixes off Stuart Broad

For whatever he has achieved as an Indian cricketer, Yuvraj Singh will perhaps most be associated with September 19, 2007. For it was on this unforgettable day at Kingsmead that he etched his name into the record books by hitting six consecutive sixes off a hapless Stuart Broad during the India-England match of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa.

Virender Sehwag (68) and Gautam Gambhir (58) gave a solid foundation to India, but that over off Broad eclipsed every thing else. A bickering of sorts with Andrew Flintoff at the end of the previous over led to the hammering of Broad who was hit all around the ground by a charged up Yuvraj. It was the fourth time in the history of cricket, but first in Twenty20 internationals that a batsman hit a six off each of the six balls of an over. Needless to say, it was an exhibition of thrilling batting from the left-hander.

The first delivery of Broad’s final over was swung over midwicket for a massive six and the ball landed outside the stadium. The second ball was flicked behind square for six more. On the third ball, Yuvraj backed away and carved the ball over the covers. By now, the fans were going berserk. An ashen-faced Broad changed his angle to around the stumps, but erred in length. A full toss outside the off stump was slashed over backward point. Four balls, four sixes. The crowd now knew something special was happening.

Back over the stumps went Broad, but Yuvraj was ready. On bent knee, he heaved the ball over midwicket for his fifth six. Ravi Shastri, one of four batsmen to have hit six sixes in an over, was commentating at the time and was in raptures. Broad trundled in, delivered a half-volley and turned his head as Yuvraj smashed the ball over midwicket to make it six sixes off the over. Yuvraj’s team-mates went mad in celebrating a 12-ball half-century, the fastest in T20Is.

In response, Vikram Solanki, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood made fine contributions but could not emulate what they had witnessed in India’s innings. Eventually, England fell short by 18 runs, failing to to register a win in the Super Eights. Poignantly, they were 171/5 after 18 overs – the same score India had been at after the 18th over before Yuvraj ransacked 38 from Broad’s over.