Birthday Special: Top 5 knocks of Virender Sehwag
Widely regarded as one of the most destructive batsmen of all time, India’s right-hand opener Virender Sehwag celebrates his 43rd birthday today (October 20). With over 17,000 runs and 39 centuries, 11 of which were 150 or more, in international cricket, the aggressive batsman was nothing less than a nightmare for the opposition bowlers. His unorthodox approach at the crease and the ability to hit big shots from the very first ball of the match irrespective of the format redefined the game of cricket in India.
On the occasion of Sehwag’s 40th birthday, let’s take a look at 5 brilliant knocks of his illustrious international career.
5. 293 vs Sri Lanka (2009)
Virender Sehwag is arguably the most destructive batsman in the longest format of the game. In a Test match in 2009, Sri Lanka racked up a decent total of 393 on the board in the first innings. Once again doing the job for his team, Sehwag stepped up and played a remarkable innings of 293 runs, the most runs scored by an Indian in a single day in a Test match. The batsman got out to Murali, missing his well-deserved third Test triple century by just seven runs.
4. 201* vs Sri Lanka in 2008
While touring Sri Lanka in 2008, the opposition spinners Muttiah Muralitharan along with Ajantha Mendis made things tough for the Indian batsmen. However, on the day when the rest of the batting order collapsed, Sehwag held the fort and played a blistering knock of unbeaten 201 in the Test match and took his team to a total of 329 in the first innings. That splendid knock made all the difference between a win and a draw, and India comfortably won by 170 runs.
3. 219 vs. West Indies in 2011
While playing One Day International against West Indies at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on December 8, 2011, Virender Sehwag became the second batsman in the history of the ODI format to score a double hundred. He went on to score 219 runs against Windies in just 149 deliveries including 25 fours and 7 sixes. Sehwag’s first 50 came off 41 balls, the 100 of 69 balls, his 150 off 112 balls, leading India towards a mammoth score of 418 for 5.
2. 319 vs. South Africa in 2008
Virender Sehwag brought his second Test triple century against South Africa in 2008 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Batting first, Africa had racked up a score of 540 runs. Stepping up in a tough scenario, the destructive opener smashed the lethal opponent bowling attack comprising Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel all over the park. His innings of 319 runs came in 304 deliveries, the fastest triple century in Test cricket with 300 coming up off just 278 balls. Sehwag had scored 257 runs on the third day of the match – the most scored in a single day since 1954. The heroics by Sehwag had resulted in the match ending in a draw.
1. 309 vs. Pakistan in 2004
The knock that truly described the kind of cricketer Sehwag was, is his maiden triple Test century at Multan in 2004. Batting first, India reached 356 for 2 on Day 1 with Sehwag unbeaten on 228 along with Sachin Tendulkar batting on 60*. On Day 2, Sehwag scored his maiden triple hundred in the second session by smashing a six off Saqlain Mushtaq when he was batting on 295. The opener was finally dismissed by Mohammad Sami when he was playing at 309. India won the match by an innings and 52 runs, but that match was well and truly owned by Sehwag.
