When Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi was pummelling sixes in the last over of Thursday’s match against Sri Lanka, the visage of Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup immediately flashed across every fan’s mind. It was such an iconic image, that it’s still talked about to this very day, 18 years after the feat with Yuvraj becoming the only man at that point to achieve that.
India were taking on England in Kingsmead on September 19 in the first ever T20 World Cup. Ahead of the over bowled by Stuart Broad, Andrew Flintoff exchanged some words with the India batter. Commentator David Lloyd said “I wouldn’t bother Yuvraj if I were you” in a premonition of what was about to transpire. But even he couldn’t have predicted the carnage that would follow.
Yuvraj began the over with a huge six over midwicket which went out of the stadium. He followed that with a flick over square-leg that also cleared the ropes. Broad aimed the third ball on the off-side but Yuvraj backed away and sent it over covers for a third six. Looking out of sorts, Broad had an on-field meeting with then captain Paul Collingwood and decided to come round the wicket. But that didn’t change anything as he bowled a wide waist high full-toss which Yuvraj slashed behind square.
The crowd got going with the four sixes but Broad was in shock. He decided to come back over the wicket. But Yuvraj smeared that over long-on for another six.
The defeaning Durban crowd cheered Yuvraj to go for another and hit six sixes. Ravi Shastri, one of the four players to hit six sixes in an over, was commentating and was on the mic for the last ball. After a big meeting in the middle with Collingwood and Flintoff, Broad decided to continue over the wicket. He ran-in and bowled a half-volley and Yuvraj deposited it in the crowd to hit th sixth six.
Not only the crowd but members of the Indian cricket team were also ecstatic after the shot. India finished with a total of 218/5.
England did come close to chase down with Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen hitting some good scores. India managed to keep England short of the target and win the match by 18 runs.
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