A look back at the 7 greatest Indian Test innings of the 21st Century

3. Virender Sehwag 309 vs Pakistan at Multan, 2004

Sehwag became the 1st Indian to score a triple-century in Tests when he blazed his way to a 375-ball 309 in Multan. With this innings, he helped India script their first ever Test win in their arch-rivals’ backyard.

Sehwag was severe on the Pakistan bowling attack, with Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Akhtar being singled out for special treatment. He handled the fiery Akhtar with ease, driving and cutting him through the off-side. Against Saqlain, he got down the pitch to counter his spin threat.

The Nawab of Nadjafgarh has enthralled one and all with his ultra-attacking brand of batting. In addition to the mauling in Multan, Sehwag has two more 290-plus scores. However, there was something special about this innings.

In 2004, the India-Pakistan rivalry was at its height. Sehwag made a statement with his innings and taught the whole world that test cricket could be played the way he did. He also enabled the Indian team to dream of overseas victories again.

The courage to play an innings of such belligerence on Pakistan’s home patch gets it into the top 3 of our list.