SK Flashback: Virender Sehwag becomes first Indian to score a triple century

The second day’s carnage

Sehwag hit fast bowlers and spinners all over the park

India’s run-rate had dipped slightly below four as they reached 395 for 2 after 100 overs, Sehwag eventually reaching his 250 off 299 balls. A few quiet overs ensued, but Sehwag opened up once again against Shabbir Ahmed in the 116th over, when he smashed three consecutive fours off the bowler.

A few overs later, Sehwag did something that would become part of cricket’s folklore – when on 295, he took on Saqlain Mushtaq’s bowling and the outfielders to smash a six, reaching his triple ton with a maximum.

Sehwag reached 301 in just 364 balls. He had narrowly missed out on breaking Matthew Hayden’s mark of 362 balls against Zimbabwe made a few months prior to this. Eventually Sehwag did wrest the record for the fastest triple ton by scoring one in just 278 balls against South Africa.

That record would probably stay forever, just like Sehwag’s inimitable style of reaching a triple ton with a risky six. Sami eventually got Sehwag for 309 ending his 531-minute, 375-ball carnage.

India had just crossed 500 a couple of overs before that. The Sachin-Sehwag duo added a phenomenal 336 runs for the third wicket. The Master Blaster would go on to score 194* remaining unbeaten when Rahul Dravid declared the innings – a controversy that has haunted him ever since. India declared on 675 for 5 after 161.5 overs.