Media365
NEW DELHI: Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has opened up about the memorable on-field exchange with India’s Yuvraj Singh during the 2007 T20 World Cup, a clash forever remembered for Yuvraj’s iconic six sixes in an over bowled by Stuart Broad. Flintoff candidly admitted that he went too far with his banter, which sparked the fiery response from the India star.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“So with Yuvraj, we used to go at each other. But it was always in the best intentions and fun. And I think he is brilliant, he is a good lad. And then in that World Cup game against India, my ankle had gone. I thought it was my last game. I was angry and I crossed the line. It’s one of the few times in my career I did I think. And then he hit Stuart Broad for six sixes. It should have been me. I was fielding on the boundary after the first one he was looking at me like that. I go oh here we go. And then the second one, he was looking for me again. By the fifth one I wanted him to do it (big laugh),” Flintoff revealed during a conversation on Beard Before Wicket.
Reacting to Flintoff’s candid recollection, Yuvraj Singh responded on social media simply: “Legend (with a laughing emoji),” acknowledging both the playful rivalry and the historic moment.
The 2007 match in Durban saw India facing England in a must-win clash after losing to New Zealand. After a blazing start by Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj walked in following Robin Uthappa’s dismissal, already fired up by Flintoff’s on-field banter. Stuart Broad’s 19th over became cricketing folklore: each ball struck by Yuvraj flew for six, culminating in a record-breaking 12-ball fifty — the fastest in T20Is at the time — a record that stood for 16 years until Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee broke it in 2023.Yuvraj’s blitz transformed India’s score from 171 to 207 in just one over, eventually helping India post 218 and secure victory by 18 runs. While Herschelle Gibbs had previously hit six sixes in an ODI, Yuvraj’s achievement carried a greater significance, coming against top-quality opponents under immense pressure.Flintoff’s acknowledgment of crossing the line and Yuvraj’s light-hearted reply offer fans a rare glimpse into the playful yet competitive spirit behind one of cricket’s most unforgettable moments.
