India vs Sri Lanka Tests: Top 5 innings aggregates

#5- 1428 runs, at Mumbai, 2009. (Sri Lanka- 393 and 309. India- 726/9 dec)

Test cricket returned to Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai after 36 years and Virender Sehwag ensured it was a memorable return.

Team India came to Mumbai with a 1-0 lead in the Test series in 2009, having already seen plenty of high scores. But Sehwag kept the best for the last Test.

Responding to Sri Lanka’s first innings score of 393, the Indian batsman consolidated a 221-run opening partnership in 235 balls with Murali Vijay, who had been roped in to replace the injured Gautam Gambhir. Vijay contributed 87 runs to that partnership.

For the next wicket, Sehwag added 237 runs with Rahul Dravid at 5.51 runs per over. Dravid scored 68 runs in that partnership, which was only broken when Sehwag handed a simple return catch to Muralitharan on the third morning of the match.

The right-handed Nawab of Najafgarh smashed 293 runs in 254 balls. It wasn’t just a brave or an aggressive innings. It was a statement by one of cricket’s greatest entertainers, one who believed in dominating the bowlers.

He displayed at Mumbai this time around, the true extent of his domination.

The second day of the match was also all about Sehwag who smashed the Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground. His trademark drives and cuts were on display - as was some phenomenal innovation

He played reverse paddle sweeps and fine glances behind square leg almost, apparently, at will.

The visitors looked helpless as Sehwag made full use of the flat surface and humid conditions.

By the time he finished his onslaught, India had reached a mighty score of 456 in just 82 overs.

Then-skipper MS Dhoni followed the suit and smashed an unbeaten hundred off just 159 balls to take India’s first innings score to 726.

A shocked Sri Lankan side, which was completely blanked out after witnessing the Sehwag show fumbled to 309 in their second innings except for Sangakkara (137), with India winning the match by an inning and 24 runs.