In the realm of cricket anecdotes, few moments stand out as sharply as the one involving Chris Broad, his son Stuart Broad, and Yuvraj Singh. The father-son duo—Chris a former England opening batter and Stuart a future England pace legend—became entwined in a story that combined humour, empathy, and perhaps just a touch of embarrassment.
The Origin of the Story
At the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, India faced England in a Super 8 match. India’s Yuvraj Singh delivered an unforgettable performance by belting six sixes in one over off Stuart Broad. This feat left a deep impression—on cricket fans and on Stuart himself.
Days and weeks passed, and with the festive season approaching, Chris Broad came up with what he evidently thought was a witty gesture: he procured an Indian jersey signed by Yuvraj Singh and gave it as a Christmas present to his son Stuart.
The idea, as Chris candidly explained, was: “He didn’t appreciate my gesture after he was hit for six sixes by Yuvraj Singh. I got Yuvraj to sign an Indian shirt and gave it to him for Christmas. Apparently, he opened the present, saw it, and threw it in the bin.”
The Message Behind the Jersey
Surprisingly, the story has another layer: Yuvraj Singh’s autograph carried something more than just his name. According to interviews, Yuvraj added a message:
“I have been hit for five sixes in an over, and I know how it feels. To the future of England cricket, all the best.”
That indicates Yuvraj was aware of the shared pain of being hit so hard, and perhaps tried to turn the jersey into a gesture of empathy—though whether Stuart saw it that way at the time is doubtful.
Stuart’s Reaction — Immediate and Reflective
When the present was opened, Stuart reportedly saw the jersey and, in an instant, tossed it in the bin. Straight into the trash. No fanfare, no hesitation. Chris revealed this with his trademark dry humor.
In retrospect, Stuart has spoken about the six-sixes over as a turning point in his career:
“I learnt a lot … I started building my ‘warrior mode’ … What really helped me was … I was left very short as an international performer.”
So, what looked like a discarded joke jersey became part of a larger narrative of resilience, rebuilding and eventually greatness.
That Christmas present—an Indian jersey signed by Yuvraj Singh—ended up in the bin. It might seem a trivial anecdote in the grand sweep of cricket history. But it’s rich in paradox: a gift meant to amuse that instead reminded; a moment of failure that spurred growth; a father’s playful jab and a son’s rejected acceptance.
