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7. 105 vs South Africa, Bloemfontein Test
A statement to the world, Virender Sehwag has arrived, and is here to stay. After making stellar performances with the ODI side, the selectors decided it was time to blood Sehwag in for the real test. On a pacy Bloemfontein wicket, against the likes of Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, this was going to be a tough ask. But then, you don’t become Virender Sehwag if you don’t laugh off the doubters, do you?
India were struggling at 68/4 when Sehwag walked in, and when he got out, the scorecard read a respectable 351/6. Sehwag played his natural game, and in partnership with the sublime Sachin Tendulkar, guided India out of trouble. This innings was a sign of things to come.
8. 201 vs Pakistan, Bangalore
Even though this came in a losing cause, it was one of his best and yet again it came against Pakistan. India had a one nil lead in the series coming in to the final Test at Bangalore and Pakistan made perfect use of the batting conditions posting 570 on the board. But Sehwag was in no mood to play for a draw as he wanted to give India every chance of winning this Test. He made a rapid 201 off just 262 balls, but in the end Pakistan came out on top to win the Test.
9. 83 vs England, Chennai
Sehwag sweeps during the Chennai Test
This wasn’t a century, but this knock was the primary reason why India chased 387 against England at Chennai immediately after the Mumbai blasts. Many were predicting India to go for a draw, but Viru had other ideas. He blasted a 68 ball 83, setting up a nice comfortable platform for the middle order to chase the rest of the runs, which they did, courtesy of Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh.
10. 201* vs Sri Lanka, Galle
Viru celebrating his double ton at Galle
Purely a one man show from Sehwag the genius. Mendis and Murali together spun India out in the first Test, but Viru was never going to hold back. He just attacked attacked and attacked every bowler and made a double century. No other Indian batsman apart from his opening partner Gambhir managed even a 40. In the second innings too, he made a vital 50 off just 52 balls and was the architect behind India levelling the series.
So many brutal innings. So much destruction caused. So much joy given. The career of Virender Sehwag has indeed been one to celebrate.
