All-rounder Yuvraj Singh, known for his big-hitting skills, played a huge part in India’s World T20 Cup triumph way back in 2007. During the inaugural edition of the event in South Africa, Yuvraj smashed England pacer Stuart Broad for six sixes on this day twelve years ago in a crucial game between the two nations. After a verbal spat with English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff at the end of the 18th over, Yuvraj, who was fired up, took out his anger on Broad, in the 19th over of the Super Six clash.
Yuvraj went on to collect 36 runs from the 19th over, and gave India a formidable total to defend. The action began when India were at 171 for 3 at the end of the 18th over in their first innings. With Yuvraj and MS Dhoni at the crease, the Indians were looking at a target near the 190-run mark, but a spat between Yuvraj and Flintoff ensured India finished close to 220. The left-hander smashed Flintoff for two fours in the 18th over, which did not go down well with the Englishman who then got into a big altercation with the Indian. The spat only pumped Yuvraj up, and it was Broad who had to pay the price.
The Punjab southpaw, in the 19th over, showed why he is regarded as one of the most aggressive players in white-ball cricket, as he sent Broad to all parts of the ground and took 36 runs off him in 6 deliveries.
While the first ball was hit over deep mid-wicket, the next one was smashed to backward square leg. The third six came from wide long-off, while the fourth was swatted over deep point off a full toss. The remaining two sixes were hoicked over square leg and hit over wide long-on respectively, as Yuvraj became the first player to achieve the feat in T20Is, He also got to his fifty in only 12 balls, which remains the fastest fifty to date in the shortest format.
Yuvraj ended with 58 runs in only 16 balls as India finished their innings with 218 for 4. In reply, the English side could only muster up 200 runs, thus giving India an 18-run win.
India went on to win their remaining games – including against Australia in the semis and Pakistan in the summit clash to become the first ever World Champions in T20Is.