Who hit six sixes in one over at the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup?
Six Sixes in Durban – Yuvraj Singh’s Legendary Feat in the 2007 T20 World Cup
The inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 introduced cricket fans to a brand-new format, filled with explosive batting, quickfire matches, and unforgettable drama. Among the many highlights of that tournament, one moment stands out as an immortal piece of cricketing history: Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over against England at Kingsmead in Durban. It was the first time such a feat had ever been achieved in T20 internationals, and it came at a time when the format was still finding its identity. This extraordinary performance not only changed the course of that match but also cemented Yuvraj’s reputation as one of the most destructive batsmen the game has ever seen.
The Context of the Match
It was September 19, 2007, and India were playing England in a crucial group-stage encounter at Kingsmead. Both teams needed a win to keep their hopes alive in the tournament. India had posted a solid start, but with just a few overs left, they needed someone to accelerate and post a commanding total. Yuvraj Singh, known for his powerful hitting, walked in with the perfect stage set for fireworks.
What followed was an over that redefined T20 cricket. England’s Stuart Broad was handed the ball in the 19th over. A young pacer at the time, Broad could not have imagined that he was about to be on the receiving end of one of the most brutal displays of batting ever witnessed.
The Six Balls of History
- First Six – Yuvraj picked up a length delivery and launched it over midwicket with effortless timing. It set the tone immediately.
- Second Six – The next ball was fuller, but Yuvraj sent it soaring straight down the ground. The crowd roared as the momentum shifted.
- Third Six – A short delivery followed, and Yuvraj swivelled to smash it over square leg. Three balls, three sixes. Broad was under immense pressure.
- Fourth Six – This time, the ball was outside off, but Yuvraj carved it majestically over point. The crowd sensed history in the making.
- Fifth Six – Broad tried to adjust, but Yuvraj lofted it high and handsome over midwicket once again. Five sixes in five balls — the stadium was electric.
- Sixth Six – On the final ball, Yuvraj cleared his front leg and struck it over long-on with pure power, completing a perfect set of six sixes in an over.
The stadium erupted, commentators were in disbelief, and Stuart Broad could only stare in shock. In the space of just six balls, Yuvraj Singh had changed cricket history.
The Spark: Verbal Duel with Flintoff
Interestingly, the over was set up by a heated exchange between Yuvraj Singh and England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Just before Broad’s over, Flintoff and Yuvraj had a verbal altercation, with both players exchanging fiery words. Yuvraj, visibly charged up, channeled his aggression into his batting. That burst of emotion translated into one of the most destructive overs ever bowled in cricket.
Later, Yuvraj admitted that Flintoff’s sledging motivated him to unleash his full power. It is often said that you should never poke a lion — and Flintoff’s words that evening proved to be the spark for Yuvraj’s historic achievement.
The Records Broken
Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes were not just a crowd-pleasing spectacle; they also carved out a place in cricket’s record books:
- He became the first player in T20 internationals to hit six sixes in a single over.
- His assault on Broad propelled him to a 50 off just 12 balls, the fastest half-century in T20 international history — a record that still stands today.
- It was only the second time in international cricket that a batsman had achieved six sixes in an over, after Herschelle Gibbs did it in the 2007 ODI World Cup earlier that same year.
The feat instantly elevated Yuvraj into cricketing folklore, making him a global superstar overnight.
Impact on the Match
Thanks to Yuvraj’s blitzkrieg, India finished their innings at a massive 218/4 in 20 overs, a total that proved too much for England. Yuvraj’s 16-ball 58, filled with seven sixes and three fours, completely deflated the English side and swung the momentum firmly in India’s favor.
India went on to win the match by 18 runs, a crucial result that kept their tournament alive. That match was not just about points on the table; it was a statement that India were serious contenders in the format many had initially doubted.
Influence on the Tournament
Yuvraj’s innings against England injected a surge of confidence into the Indian team. Later in the tournament, he played another memorable knock in the semifinal against Australia, smashing a 30-ball 70 that guided India into the final. Eventually, India defeated Pakistan in the final to lift the inaugural T20 World Cup trophy.
It is fair to say that without Yuvraj’s contributions, India’s journey might have looked very different. His six sixes were symbolic of the fearless, attacking brand of cricket that India adopted throughout the tournament.
Legacy of the Moment
The image of Yuvraj Singh hitting Stuart Broad for six consecutive sixes is etched permanently in cricketing memory. It was a defining moment not just for Yuvraj, but for T20 cricket itself. At a time when many skeptics dismissed the format as “hit-and-giggle,” Yuvraj demonstrated its potential to produce moments of sheer brilliance.
For India, it became a cultural memory. Young fans who had just been introduced to T20 cricket suddenly had a hero to idolize. Broad, though on the receiving end, went on to have a stellar career in Test cricket, showing remarkable resilience. But in the lore of T20s, that over will always belong to Yuvraj.
Yuvraj Singh’s Career and Character
Yuvraj Singh’s career was filled with highs and lows — World Cup wins, stunning batting displays, as well as battles with injury and cancer. But his ability to rise to big occasions defined him. The six-sixes over was a showcase of his fearlessness and raw talent.
Years later, Yuvraj would reflect on that moment with pride, acknowledging how it changed his career. Fans across generations remember him for that single over as much as for his match-winning performances in the 2011 ODI World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament.
Conclusion
The sight of Yuvraj Singh dispatching Stuart Broad for six consecutive sixes in the 2007 T20 World Cup is one of cricket’s greatest highlights. It was a moment of audacity, skill, and controlled aggression that electrified the sport and set the tone for the future of T20 cricket. More than just six clean hits, it symbolized the arrival of a fearless generation of cricketers ready to embrace the shortest format with open arms.
For Indian fans, it was an unforgettable evening that paved the way for their team’s eventual triumph in the tournament. For global cricket, it was proof that T20 had arrived as a serious format, capable of delivering magic that no other version of the game could.
