Former India star Yuvraj Singh’s explosive batting has tormented bowlers across generations — but what made him the aggressive match-winner we remember today? In a stunning revelation, his father Yograj Singh has credited legendary Australian skipper Steve Waugh for unknowingly lighting that fire within him through a brutal sledge early in his career.

The Moment That Changed Everything

During a recent interview, Yograj Singh shared a defining incident from Yuvraj’s early days in international cricket. The left-hander, just 19 years old, was hit by a bouncer in only his second match — against the mighty Aussies. As he lay on the ground, Steve Waugh walked past and scoffed:

“Get up, this is not school cricket, you bloody kid!”

That remark stung. And according to Yograj, it was the moment Yuvraj vowed never to show mercy to bowlers again.

Revenge with the Bat

Yuvraj’s response came with his bat — just weeks later during the Champions Trophy 2000, where he smashed 84 runs off 80 balls against Australia and bagged the Player of the Match award. It wasn’t just a knock — it was the beginning of a new, fearless Yuvraj Singh.

Yograj said:

“Australians are known for sledging, but what they didn’t realize is that Yuvraj was built to turn anger into action. That one sentence from Waugh transformed him forever.”

2007: The Six-Six Revenge

Years later, Yuvraj would again channel that rage — this time in the 2007 T20 World Cup. After a heated exchange with Andrew Flintoff, Yuvraj unleashed hell on Stuart Broad, hitting him for 6 sixes in an over, a moment now etched in cricket history.

Yograj recalled:

“He pointed his bat at Flintoff as if to say — ‘Now watch.’ Sledging Yuvraj was always a bad idea.”

Defending Digvesh Rathi

On a different note, Yograj also defended Lucknow Super Giants spinner Digvesh Rathi, who was fined by BCCI for his viral ‘notebook celebration’ during IPL 2025. Yograj said:

“Such things happen in sports. Youngsters shouldn’t be punished for expressing themselves.”