In sports, there are certain moments when everyone stops whatever they’re doing to witness history in the making. For us Indians, such a moment of collective consciousness came this day 15 years ago, when Yuvraj Singh hit Stuart Broad for six 6s in an over at the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa.

This was set up to be the perfect underdog story with the David of the Indian side having minimal T20 experience before the World Cup, against the Goliath of the English Cricket team – practically the creators of not just the sport of cricket but also of the T20 format. This match, however, was the story of an explosive, yet focused team that dominated all across told through the willow of Yuvraj Singh.

But before we get to that eventful over, a bit of background and context would do no harm. Until the 2007 T20 World Cup, T20 was just a useful distraction for the cricket world. India travelled to South Africa with a whopping experience all of 1 match that too played over 9 months ago. And in the interim period, fans of the Indian team were still reeling from the early exit from the ODI World Cup. Plus, the more experienced members of the side, namely Sachin, Saurav and Dravid decided to opt out of the tournament leaving fans wondering whether the tournament should really get the respect a “World Cup” should get. Such was the nonchalant attitude to the tournament that in the build-up to the tournament, India toured England to play a Test series and a seven-match ODI series that ended less than a week before India’s first T20 match! Remember this series, we’ll refer to this again soon.

Anyway, let’s get to the match. The date was 19th September 2007 at Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban. It was the Super 8s. On the back of two successive losses, England was already out of contention for the semifinals. India however was facing a must-win match. India won the toss and elected to bat.

The two sides were meeting for the 8th time in a month!! And in that India tour of England series mentioned earlier Dmitri Mascarenhas had hit Yuvraj Singh for 5 sixes in the 6th ODI at Oval. Back to Durban, India started well, spectacularly well with the openers piling a partnership of 136 runs in under 15 overs. But then 3 successive wickets fell and it was up to Yuvi and MSD to end the innings well. The 18th over was being bowled by a hobbling Andrew Flintoff who did not quite like Yuvraj hitting him for two successive boundaries. Some unkind words were exchanged. Yuvraj later said Flintoff said, “I am gonna cut your throat off”. Umpire Billy Doctrove and MS Dhoni tried to diffuse the situation, but the damage was already done as the world soon found out. After 18 overs, India was at 171/3 and the platform to slog was ready.

The first ball of Stuart Broad’s over and Yuvraj hits him for a huge six outside the ground on the leg side. The die was cast. Next ball – same line, same length and well, the same result over backward square leg. Third ball – over extra cover. Broad goes around the wicket. Fourth ball – over backward point. The ball was flying all across the ground. Broad helpless, Singh anchored. And an English team huddle was called. Broad goes back over the wicket, all his experiments yielding the same result. Next ball – a six over midwicket. And then, for the next ball, the stadium was on its feet in anticipation. All eyes are on Yuvraj, and Yuvraj’s rage-filled eyes are on Mascarenhas and Flintoff. Stuart Broad nervously takes the run-up, over-pitched delivery, Yuvraj gets his right leg out of the way, gets on his left knee and slogs. It’s a Full Monty – Six 6s in an over.

The ghosts of sleepless nights after being hit by Dmitri Mascarenhas a fortnight ago were paid back with a handsome interest. It was a job well done. Yuvraj Singh had become the first person ever to have hit six 6s in a T20 International, and only the second person in the history of International Cricket after Herschelle Gibbs. Moreover, his record of ‘Fastest 50 runs in T20’ in just 12 balls of this match, still stands.

India ended up winning the match, as well as the World Cup. Yuvraj Singh was awarded the Man of the Match. And his six 6s have made a permanent place in all of our hearts to this day.

Well, a happy 15-year anniversary to Yuvi, and as a tribute today we bring to you a special quiz on Cricket Records Quiz only on KarmaPlay. So download the app, and get yourself a full monty!