Introduction
On 19 September 2007, during a high-octane ICC T20 World Cup clash between India and England at Kingsmead, Durban, Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh etched his name in cricketing history by hitting six consecutive sixes in a single over off English bowler Stuart Broad. This electrifying feat made Yuvraj the first cricketer to achieve this in T20 Internationals and only the second in all international cricket, after South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs had done so in an ODI earlier that same year.
Yuvraj’s explosive hitting not only changed the course of the match but also became one of the most iconic moments in T20 cricket history. It helped India post a commanding total and reinforced Yuvraj Singh’s reputation as one of the most dangerous middle-order hitters in the game.
Background and Build-up
India’s Position in the 2007 T20 World Cup
The 2007 ICC World Twenty20 was the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup. India, under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, entered the tournament with a relatively young and dynamic squad. Many senior players including Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid had opted out, giving space to rising talents.
India had already played an exciting tied match against Pakistan and had beaten South Africa and Scotland in the group stages. The match against England was a crucial Super 8 encounter.
Match Context and Pressure
India needed a win to stay strong in the race to the semi-finals. The Kingsmead pitch was offering bounce and pace, making stroke-play both challenging and rewarding. England, led by Paul Collingwood, had bowlers like Andrew Flintoff, James Anderson, and Stuart Broad in their arsenal.
Previous Instances of Six Sixes
Before Yuvraj Singh’s feat, only Sir Garfield Sobers (first-class cricket, 1968) and Ravi Shastri (Ranji Trophy, 1985) had achieved the milestone. In international cricket, Herschelle Gibbs had smashed six sixes in an over earlier in 2007 during the ODI World Cup against the Netherlands.
Match Situation
Yuvraj Singh walked out to bat in the 16th over, with India at 155/3. The platform was set for acceleration. Just before the historic over, a verbal spat took place between Yuvraj Singh and Andrew Flintoff, with both players exchanging heated words. The confrontation seemed to ignite Yuvraj’s competitive spirit.
Stuart Broad, a young English pacer, was handed the ball for the 19th over. What followed was a batting masterclass that would become a part of cricketing folklore.
The Over – Ball by Ball
1st Ball: Over long-on – Six
Yuvraj launched the ball over the long-on boundary with a clean swing of the bat. The tone was set.
2nd Ball: Over cow corner – Six
With quick footwork, Yuvraj smashed the ball even further, sending it over deep midwicket.
3rd Ball: Over extra cover – Six
Demonstrating elegance and power, Yuvraj lofted a length ball over extra cover — not a typical six-hitting zone.
4th Ball: Over point – Six
Using Broad’s pace, Yuvraj carved the ball over backward point. Four in four.
5th Ball: Over square leg – Six
He shuffled across and flicked the ball nonchalantly into the stands over square leg.
6th Ball: Over midwicket – Six
A thunderous hit over wide midwicket completed the set. Broad had conceded 36 runs in the over, and the crowd erupted.
Commentary and Stats
- Distance Range: 78m to 111m
- Total Over Runs: 36
- Time Taken: Approx. 2 minutes
- Reaction: Commentator David Lloyd exclaimed, “Yuvraj Singh has put Broad into the crowd six times in a row!”
Impact on the Match
Yuvraj Singh’s sixes turned India’s innings from competitive to intimidating. India finished with 218/4 in 20 overs — one of their highest T20I totals at the time.
Yuvraj scored 58 runs off just 16 balls, including seven sixes and three fours, with a strike rate of 362.50. This also became the fastest fifty in T20 Internationals, achieved in just 12 balls.
England, despite efforts from Vikram Solanki and Kevin Pietersen, managed 200/6, handing India a 18-run victory.
Reactions
From Players
- MS Dhoni: Praised Yuvraj’s temperament and ability to turn games in minutes.
- Stuart Broad: Took the experience as a lesson, later becoming one of the world’s top Test bowlers.
- Andrew Flintoff: Later admitted the exchange may have inadvertently provoked a historic innings.
Media and Experts
The moment was splashed across global sports headlines. Pundits hailed Yuvraj as a generational hitter. His clean and fearless striking was seen as a defining example of modern T20 batting.
Records and Achievements
- Fastest T20I Fifty: 12 balls (world record)
- Most runs in an over in T20Is: 36
- First player to hit six sixes in an over in T20 Internationals
- Joint-most sixes in a T20I innings at that time
Comparison with Other Six-Six Overs:
- Herschelle Gibbs: ODI vs Netherlands (2007)
- Sir Garfield Sobers: First-class cricket (1968)
- Ravi Shastri: First-class cricket (1985)
- Kieron Pollard: T20I vs Sri Lanka (2021)
Yuvraj remains the only Indian to have achieved this feat in an international match.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes became a turning point for both his career and India’s campaign in the tournament. It boosted team morale and showcased India’s fearless brand of cricket, eventually leading to their 2007 T20 World Cup victory.
The moment became part of cricketing legend, frequently shown in highlights packages and motivational reels. It inspired a generation of young cricketers to embrace T20 with confidence and aggression.
In Indian pop culture, the feat has been referenced in advertisements, cricket biopics, and tribute videos. It solidified Yuvraj Singh’s place as one of India’s greatest limited-overs match-winners.
Match Statistics
India Innings: 218/4 (20 overs)
- Virender Sehwag: 68 (52)
- Gautam Gambhir: 58 (41)
- Yuvraj Singh: 58 (16)
- Stuart Broad: 0/60 (4 overs)
England Innings: 200/6 (20 overs)
- Vikram Solanki: 43 (31)
- Kevin Pietersen: 39 (22)
- Irfan Pathan: 3/37
- RP Singh: 2/28
