‘How time flies!’ Yuvraj Singh recalls his 6 sixes against Stuart Broad 13 years ago

In his career, Stuart Broad has scalped 514 wickets in Tests, 178 in one-day internationals (ODI), 65 in T20s and amassed over 3000 runs in the longest format. Yet, the major chunk of the narrative that surrounds the English all-rounder’s name is heavily influenced by one man and one night. 

Though off-putting, yet, the eternal celebration of that night is a testament to how the moment captured the imagination of not only a nation but the entire cricketing fraternity. 

On September 19, 2007, when Yuvraj Singh came out to bat against England in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup, India was 155/3 and he had only 20 balls to push up the score.  

After the end of the 18th over, with two quickfire boundaries off Andrew Flintoff, Singh reached 14 off 6 balls. A bit of heated chatter followed between the two. 

Start of the 19th over. Stuart Broad, then 21 years of age, takes the mark with the white leather in his hand. What followed is one of the most destructive pieces of batting the game has ever seen — absolute mayhem.

Broad charges in with a fullish delivery, Singh down on one knee slaps the bowl over the cow corner. There’s not much the young pacer could do. Flintoff, fielding at the boundary, shakes his head in disapproval. 

Next ball, just flicked off his legs, the southpaw smashes the ball into the stands. 

Broad tries to pitch it outside off, Singh again down on his knees, slaps the bowl over extra-cover. 

Would round-the-wicket help? Broad goes for it. Bowls a wide full toss asking to be hit and Singh takes the opportunity in a blink of an eye.

Back to over the wicket, Broad’s clawing at straws here. The fifth ball of the over, Yuvraj sets up and hits it over midwicket right into the ecstatic crowd. It’s five now, five sixes in five bowls. England captain Paul Collingwood is clueless. 

A quick change of field. Broad steams in, bowls a similar line for the sixth bowl and Yuvraj Singh scripts a similar outcome. The bowl sails into an ecstatic crowd as Singh creates history. 

Unsurprisingly, the Chandigarh born World Cup winner scored the fastest 50 in 12 balls, a record which still holds.

Further down the line, India went on to win the ICC World T20 under MS Dhoni and Yuvraj’s six sixes in an over remain etched in history forever.

Along with Australia vs India 2nd Test at Eden Gardens, Natwest Series 2002 series victory, Yuvraj’s flamboyant hitting is what defined the 2000s decade for Indian cricket. 

It’s been 13 years to that night, yet, every ball of that over is as freshly printed in our minds as it can be. 

Singh himself took to Instagram to relive his exhilarating exploits from that night. The English all-rounder Stuart Broad replied to the post, saying, “Time flies less than the cricket ball that night,” followed by a rocket emoji.

Earlier this month, Yuvraj reportedly sent a mail to the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah, seeking their permission to come out of retirement and play for his state side Punjab. 

His fans will be hoping to see him in action real soon.