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On this day, 19 years back, Virender Sehwag created history when he not only broke VVS Laxman's record for the most runs by an Indian in a Test match but also became the first cricketer from the country to hit 300 in a single match. It was one of the best innings by an Indian batter in Test cricket and still is among the top innings by an Indian in Test cricket. It was even sweeter for the fans because the innings came against their bitter rivals Pakistan on their home soil.
After opting to bat first, India reached 356 for 2 on Day 1 with Sehwag unbeaten on 228 with Sachin Tendulkar batting on 60*. This was also the highest score by an Indian against Pakistan in the neighbouring country. During the second session on Day 2, he smashed a massive six off Saqlain Mushtaq to complete a brilliant triple century in Test cricket.
See the special moment here:
He eventually lost his wicket for 309 runs off Mohammad Sami's bowling, smashing 39 boundaries and 6 sixes and an incredible strike rate of 82.40. India won the match by an innings and 52 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
He was the only batter to reach his 300 with a six for 10 years until Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara did the same during a Test match against Bangladesh in Chittagong in 2014.
Sehwag does one better in 2008!
In what can only be a massive coincidence, the date of March 29 is very special as he reached his second 300 in Test Cricket against South Africa in Chennai!
This was four years after his blistering knock in Multan that gave him the nickname 'Multan of Sultan'. He bettered the 309 vs Pakistan, going on to score 319 in the Test in 2008.
Sehwag matched his previous record of 309 on Day 3, scoring another 10 the next day before being dismissed by Makhaya Ntini with the Test match ending in a draw. His 319-run knock is still the record for the highest individual score by an Indian batter in Test cricket.
Only four batters have hit a triple hundred twice in Test cricket — Don Bradman (Australia), Brian Lara (West Indies), Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle (West Indies).
In 2016, Karnataka batsman Karun Nair became the second Indian batter to hit a triple hundred during the fifth and final Test against England in Chennai.
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