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[Watch] When Yuvraj Singh Made History as the First T20I Player to Hit Six Sixes in an Over

image-lmpwfxz2Yuvraj Singh hitting six sixes in an over [Twitter]

On this day, 16 years ago, cricket fans witnessed a historic moment that left an indelible mark on the world of T20I cricket. Yuvraj Singh, the dynamic former Indian all-rounder, etched his name in the annals of cricket history as the first T20I player ever to smash six sixes in a single over, during the ICC T20 World Cup 2007. This remarkable feat took place in a Super Eight encounter between India and England at Durban, South Africa, and remains etched in the collective memory of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

The encounter was a Super Eight clash between India and England. India, having suffered defeat in their first Super Eight game against New Zealand, found themselves in a must-win situation to stay alive in the tournament. The venue was Kingsmead in Durban, known for its batting-friendly conditions, and Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir had already laid a solid foundation, amassing over a hundred runs between them.


However, it was Yuvraj Singh's explosive brilliance that would redefine the contours of T20 cricket. Standing at the crease, Yuvraj exchanged heated words with England's all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, igniting a fiery contest. Stuart Broad, the young English pacer, took the ball for the 19th over, but little did he know what awaited him.

Watch - Yuvraj Singh became first T20I player to hit six sixes in one over

The over unfolded with a sequence of astonishing strokes. The first six soared over the cow corner, followed by a flick over backward square leg for the second. The third was a graceful hit over the extra cover region, while the fourth ball saw Yuvraj smashing a full toss to the backward point region, resulting in four consecutive sixes. The southpaw continued his onslaught with the fifth ball dispatched over midwicket. The historic sixth six, which cemented his name in cricketing lore, sailed over mid-on. 

The crowd erupted in joy, and commentator Ravi Shastri's words, 

"And he has put it away...YES! Six sixes in an over. Yuvraj Singh finishes things off in style!" 

Yuvraj's breathtaking display not only shattered records but also propelled him to the fastest T20I half-century in history, achieved in just 12 balls. His astonishing knock culminated with 58 runs off a mere 16 balls, including three fours and seven sixes, at a striking strike rate of 362.50. Contributions from openers Gambhir and Sehwag, with scores of 58 and 68 respectively, propelled India to a formidable total of 218/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Stuart Broad, the unfortunate bowler at the receiving end of Yuvraj's onslaught, was a young fast bowler then, just embarking on his international career. Rather than succumbing to the pressure, Broad chose to view this episode as a pivotal learning experience. It served as a stepping stone towards his transformation into one of England's greatest Test fast bowlers, showcasing his resilience and determination.

In the pursuit of India's challenging target of 219, England displayed glimpses of competitiveness with knocks from Vikram Solanki (43) and Kevin Pietersen (39). Nevertheless, India's bowlers, led by Irfan Pathan (3/37) and RP Singh (2/28), managed to keep the run flow in check. England concluded their innings at 200/6 in 20 overs, falling short by 18 runs, handing India a crucial victory in the tournament.

Yuvraj Singh's iconic feat in 2007 not only left an indelible mark on cricketing history but also showcased the power and excitement of T20 cricket.