Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has recently shed light on the legendary on-field confrontation with India’s Yuvraj Singh during the 2007 T20 World Cup. This unforgettable incident is etched in cricketing history for Yuvraj’s incredible feat of hitting six sixes off a single over bowled by Stuart Broad.
Flintoff openly confessed that his verbal taunts towards Yuvraj went ‘too far,’ inadvertently igniting the Indian batsman’s furious response that day.
During a conversation on ‘Beard Before Wicket,’ Flintoff recalled, “Yuvraj and I always had a bit of a back-and-forth, but it was usually in good spirits. He’s a brilliant player, a good lad. However, during that particular World Cup game against India, I was dealing with an ankle injury and thought it might be my last match. I was frustrated, and I admit I crossed a line with my comments. It’s one of the few times in my career I felt I did.”
He continued, “Then he proceeded to hit Stuart Broad for six sixes. It should have been me! I was fielding on the boundary after the first one, and he was staring at me. I thought, ‘Oh, here we go.’ After the second, he was still looking. By the fifth one, I actually wanted him to do it!” Flintoff humorously added, acknowledging the magnitude of the moment.
Yuvraj Singh, upon seeing Flintoff’s candid recollection on social media, simply replied with: “Legend (followed by a laughing emoji).” This brief, light-hearted exchange perfectly encapsulated the blend of competitive fire and mutual respect between the two cricketing greats.
The critical 2007 T20 World Cup match in Durban saw India needing a victory against England after a defeat to New Zealand. Following a strong opening from Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh entered the crease after Robin Uthappa’s dismissal. Already charged up by Flintoff’s provocative words, Yuvraj unleashed an astonishing assault.
Stuart Broad’s 19th over became legendary as Yuvraj hit every single ball for a maximum. This explosive display resulted in a record-breaking 12-ball fifty, the fastest in T20I history at the time. This remarkable record stood unchallenged for 16 years until Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee surpassed it in 2023.
Yuvraj’s incredible blitz transformed India’s score from 171 to 207 in just one over, ultimately helping India reach 218 and secure an 18-run victory. While West Indies’ Herschelle Gibbs had previously achieved six sixes in a One Day International, Yuvraj’s achievement carried an even greater weight, occurring against a formidable opponent under immense pressure in a crucial World Cup fixture.
Flintoff’s recent admission of overstepping his bounds, coupled with Yuvraj’s good-natured response, provides fans with a fascinating insight into the dynamic and often intense rivalries that shape the spirit of cricket.