India versus England or Yuvraj versus Broad? It’s a crucial, must-win clash for both teams, but when the battle within is as mouth-watering as this one, it’s rather easy to lose sight of the big picture.

Two years ago, on a mad Durban night, the left-handed destroyer had hit England’s baby-faced fast bowler for six sixes in one crazy over. Slashing over point, driving over long-on, flicking through square-leg, slogging over mid-wicket, he had, in five unforgettable minutes, ensured recurring nightmares for years to come.

He had finished that innings with 58 off 16 deliveries, as England submitted to the will of his fiery blade.

On the eve of their Super 8s repeat, Yuvraj was asked, repeatedly, about that knock. Through the interaction, he retained his sense of humour.

What memories do you have of that over? “Special memories, it was really special to hit six sixes in an over, especially after being hit for five,” he said — he still hasn’t forgotten the hiding Dmitri Mascarenhas had handed out to him. “Yeah, that moment is in the back of my mind.”

‘Bowl a beamer’

If he was captain, he was asked, what would he tell Broad if he got hit for two sixes off the first two balls of the over. “If I tell you, it will be a problem. As captain, if you tell a bowler too many things, there is chance that he might get confused. I might just tell him to go and hit his head or something, maybe bowl a beamer.”

... contd.