New Delhi: In a revelation that’s stirring up cricket nostalgia, former England pacer Stuart Broad once tossed a jersey autographed by Yuvraj Singh straight into the dustbin, all because of that infamous over in the 2007 T20 World Cup where the Indian all-rounder smashed him for six consecutive sixes.
The anecdote comes from none other than Stuart’s father, Chris Broad, a former cricketer himself and the hero of England’s 1986-87 Ashes triumph.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Chris shared how he had gotten Yuvraj to sign an Indian team jersey as a cheeky Christmas gift for his son. “I took the Indian jersey and got Yuvraj Singh to autograph it. I gave that jersey to Stuart Broad as a Christmas present. He opened the gift, looked at it, and threw it in the bin. I think after the six sixes incident, his sense of humour had sort of vanished,” Chris recounted with a chuckle.
The story traces back to the Durban clash where Yuvraj’s explosive 58 off 16 balls, including those sixes off Broad, left the young bowler shell-shocked. Chris, who was the match referee that day, approached Yuvraj the next morning and quipped, “You’ve just about ended my son’s career; now you have to sign this T-shirt.” Yuvraj obliged, penning a heartfelt note: “I’ve been hit for five sixes in an over; I know how you feel. All the best to the future star of England cricket.”
Despite the early humiliation, Broad rose to become one of cricket’s greats, amassing 847 international wickets — 604 in Tests, 178 in ODIs, and 65 in T20Is — before retiring in 2023.
This light-hearted tale underscores the sport’s highs and lows, reminding fans how even legends start with bruises.