Yuvraj Singh and India in T20Is - A tale of two successive sixes

The title of the article is inspired from Charles Dicken's 'A Tale of Two Cities' to give it a literary touch. In the recent Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka, Yuvraj Singh struck three sixes, two of which were on consecutive balls. He came down the track off the second last ball of Herath's over (13th of the innings) and smacked a six over long-on. The next ball sailed over mid-wicket for yet another mighty six. It was not the first time Yuvraj Singh has struck two sixes on successive balls in a T20I game, and this isn't something interesting.In fact, in his very third, T20I game, he struck 6 sixes in an over to Broad in a World T20 game. However, the fact that India wins 87.5% matches when Yuvraj Singh scores two successive sixes is indeed something to write on. While, when he strikes 2 or more sixes in a game and none of them on consecutive balls, the percentage for India’s victory drops to 66.7.Yuvraj has struck 2 or more sixes in a T20I match on 17 occasions; 8 of which had at least a pair of sixes on successive balls, while 9 did not. Out of 8 'successive sixes' match, India won 7- the only exception being T20 against New Zealand in 2009 at Wellington when Brandon McCullum took his team home on the last ball of the match.On the other hand, among 9 instances of non-successive sixes, 3 were in losing causes. We shall be discussing here the instances when Yuvraj struck sixes on consecutive balls and the result of that T20I match.

#1 England vs India, World T20, at Durban on 19 Sep 2007

One of the massive onslaught one could ever imagine in any formats of Cricket was handed to Broad by Yuvraj Singh. Offended by Flintoff’s sledging in the last over, Yuvraj sent Broad’s each ball of the next over flying across the boundary.

Broad bowled first delivery a little fullish in length and Yuvraj clears his front leg and heaves it over mid-wicket for a mighty six. The six is officially measured to be 111 meters long.

Second ball of the over is deposited over the backward square leg for another six. Third ball and third six; once more Yuvi clears his front leg and deposits the ball over the extra-cover six.

Broad comes with a change of angle on the fourth ball, but the result is the same - a wide full-toss which is sent by Yuvraj over point for another six. Penultimate ball of the over and Broad's misery continues - fifth six of the over, this time over the mid-wicket fence with one knee down on the ground.

Ultimate ball of the over, and ultimate humiliation. Yuvraj strikes it over wide mid-on in exactly similar style as he struck the first six and it goes flying for yet another big six.

Yuvraj, with his last six, brought his fifty off just 12 balls - fastest ever fifty in any senior level cricket going past Imran Nazir's 14-ball fifty against Lahore Eagles in 2005. With 6 sixes in an over, he became the first and so far the only batsman in T20Is, 2nd in entire international cricket after Herschelle Gibbs, and 4th in senior cricket to have done so. India won the match by 18 runs and Yuvraj Singh was awarded Man of the Match.

#2 India v Australia at Mumbai, Oct 20, 2007

In this match, India batted second and Australia gave them 167 to chase down. Yuvraj came into bat in 11th over. In 13th over, he smashed a six of Michael Clarke’s bowling. In the 17th over, it was Stuart Clark who was to be punished this time. 3rd ball of over was short on middle and leg and Yuvraj sent it for a six over fine leg boundary for a biggie.

The very next ball was against short and on middle and leg and once more, it went the distance. Another six to Yuvraj, another six added to the total. India won the game very comfortably with 11 balls to spare. Gautam Gambhir was declared Man of the Match for his 63.

#3 New Zealand v India at Wellington, Feb 27, 2009

This match is the only anomaly in this list- Yuvraj smashing two sixes of two balls and yet ending on losing side. With the help of Yuvraj’s 50 off 34 balls which included 4 sixes and 4 fours, India posted 149 runs on the board. Yuvraj Singh smashed two consecutive sixes off Vettori in the 12th over.

The left-armer was dismissed for a six over mid-wicket with a massive slog of 2nd ball of the over, while next ball was on the off side and Yuvraj sends the ball over extra cover for a maximum. However, India lost the match when McCullum scored 9 off last 3 balls to take his team home on the final ball. McCullum for his match-winning 69 was awarded Man of the Match.

#4 Bangladesh v India, World T20, at Nottingham, Jun 6, 2009

Bangladesh and India faced each other in a World Cup game in 2009 at Nottingham. Strong opening partnership and a late boost from Yuvraj Singh helped India post a formidable total of 180. Yuvraj Singh made 41 off 18 balls which included 4 sixes. In the 17th over, Naeem Islam was smashed over mid-wicket for a maximum of the first ball, while the very next ball was a little more flighted, and Yuvraj pelts it towards long-on for yet another six.

It was once more two in two. Bangladesh in reply fell well short of the target and lost the game by 25 runs. Ojha for his 4-wickets was awarded MoM award.

#5 India v Pakistan at Ahmedabad, Dec 28, 2012

It was the second and last T20 of the series between India and Pakistan - Pakistan were 1-0 up in the series. It was the last chance for India to bounce back - such is the case with two-game series. Yuvraj Singh came in to bat in the 8th over when India were 53-2.

He started off slowly with a single and double here and there - before launching the offensive to Afridi in 13th over. He smashed him for a four, a six and two singles off 4 balls. In the 18th over, Sohail Tanveer came to bowl. Dhoni took single off the first ball bringing in Yuvraj Singh to face the rest of the over.

Tanveer came over the wicket, while the ball sailed over the mid-wicket. Next ball is short again and it also goes for a six. Pakistani captain Hafeez brought on their ‘Magician’ Saeed Ajmal but it wasn’t his day.

Yuvraj Singh struck a hat-trick of sixes off the last three balls of the over. India made 192-5 in 20 overs courtesy to 36-ball 72 of Yuvraj Singh. Pakitan replied back strongly but were never going to make such a huge target. They eventually fell 11 runs short. Yuvraj Singh was Man of the Match.

#6 India v Australia at Rajkot, Oct 10, 2013

India and Australia played a single T20I in Australia’s tour of India 2013, and it was purely a run fest. Batting first Australia scored 201-7 in 20 overs mainly due to 52-ball 89 runs from Aaron Finch. The chase began with India losing their first wicket at 12. India kept scoring quickly but in the process lost 3 more wickets.

In 12th over, India were 100-4 with Dhoni and Yuvraj on the crease. With the help of 5 sixes and 8 fours, Yuvraj made 35-ball 77. Dhoni supported him on the other end with 24*. In the 14th over, Yuvraj Singh punished Clint McKay by hitting him 2 sixes of 2nd and 3rd ball.

Then in the 17th over, Faulkner was on the receiving end- with 4th and 5th ball of the over smacked for maximums. India chased the target with 6 wickets still in hand and 2 balls to spare. Yuvraj Singh without any second thought was awarded Man of the Match.

#7 Australia v India, World T20, at Dhaka Mar 30, 2014

The last in the list also came against Australia in a World Cup game. Batting first India scored 159-7 in 20 overs. Yuvraj Singh came on to bat in the 7th over when Kohli fell off Muirhead’s bowling. At the end of 12th over, India were 69-4 and were struggling a great deal.

In the 14th over, Muirhead’s first ball disappeared over mid-wicket fence for a big six; Yuvraj Singh was in charge now. Next ball was banged in short again and it went the distance, this time over long-on for another maximum.

Late strikes from Dhoni and Yuvraj make India reach a very defendable total. Yuvraj Singh made 60 off 43 balls which featured 4 sixes. Australia in the chase were not allowed to settle at all by the spin attack of Ashwin and they succumbed to a mere 86 in 17 overs. Ashwin for his 4-wickets snatched the otherwise Yuvraj’s MoM award.