Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi, cricket administration’s enfant terrible, has let yet another bombshell tip out. Fresh from surfacing in the news again with the notorious Harbhajan Singh–Sreesanth “slapgate” footage, Modi has now unearthed the secret of how Yuvraj Singh’s legendary six sixes off England in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup made him lose a Porsche.
Talking on the Beyond23 Podcast with former Australia skipper Michael Clarke, Modi revealed that he had offered a Porsche to any Indian cricketer who scored six sixes in an over or took six wickets in an over in the competition.
Yuvraj Singh Delivers the Unthinkable
That moment arrived in Durban when Yuvraj Singh destroyed England fast bowler Stuart Broad, hitting him six consecutive sixes in an over. It was one of cricket’s greatest moments and a defining moment in India’s successful 2007 T20 tour.
Prior to the 2007 T20 World Cup, I had announced to everyone that whoever would hit six sixes or take 6 wickets in an over would be awarded a Porsche.” Modi remembered the incident.
As promised, Yuvraj ran up to him after the record-breaking over, claiming his reward.
“Yuvraj glances at me on the boundary. he lifts the bat and he runs in to me, saying ‘I want my Porsche.’ I told him, ‘Give me the bat,'” Modi explained to Clarke.
A Landmark Innings in T20I History
Yuvraj Singh’s heroics against England not only earned him a Porsche but a place in cricket folklore forever. On that evening, he created the fastest fifty in T20 internationals, achieving the feat in 12 balls, a record which remained unbeaten for years.
The six-hitting rampage was a turning point of India’s campaign. Yuvraj’s belligerent knock propelled India to the win and instilled confidence into the team, ultimately leading them to hoist the first T20 World Cup in the hands of MS Dhoni.
The Bigger Picture: Yuvraj’s Contribution to India’s Victory
Although the six sixes are the abiding memory, Yuvraj’s contribution during the tournament went beyond that legendary over. His 70 off 30 balls against Australia in the semi-final was equally crucial. India built those performances to arrange five-run final confrontation with arch-rivals Pakistan, which they won by five runs in a thriller.
For most, Yuvraj’s performances reinforced his status as one of white-ball cricket’s greatest match-winners.
Lalit Modi and His Role in Cricket’s Story
Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes remain a watershed moment in Indian cricket, symbolizing both the rise of T20 cricket and India’s emergence as a global powerhouse in the shortest format. Lalit Modi’s revelation adds a fascinating personal layer to the story, underlining how extraordinary performances often carry extraordinary rewards.
As Modi put it, Yuvraj didn’t just win a match for India that day he drove away with a Porsche too.
