The top 10 best Test innings of Sehwag

We will look at the top 10 best Test innings of Sehwag. As we all know, he redefined the definition of a Test opener. He is the only Indian with two triple centuries in Test Cricket. He holds the record for the highest individual score in ODI Cricket. Those were happier days for Virender Sehwag.

He might be struggling at the moment, but Sehwag gave us so many moments to enjoy, to celebrate his brilliance, to get awestruck by his ferlessness and exuberance. Here’s a pick of ten of the best knocks Sehwag has ever played.

Note: These are in no Particular Order

1. 319 vs South Africa, Chennai Test

celebrating his triple ton

South Africa rode on winning the toss, a big hundred from Hashim Amla, and handy contributions from Graeme Smith, Neil McKenzie and Mark Boucher to get to 540 in their first innings. Imposing total, and India’s openers needed to be up for the fight. What does Sehwag do? He comes out and tonks the ball all around The Chidambaram Stadium, sending the Protea Bowlers on a leather hunt.

At the end of it all, 319 off 304 balls. 42 hits to the fence and 5 over it. Sehwag had broken the record for the highest individual Test score by an India, a record that he himself had previously held. India got to 627, riding on Sehwag’s brilliance, and the match meandered to a dull draw, on a pitch that never really deteriorated as it was expected to.

2. 293 vs Sri Lanka, Mumbai Test

On a pitch with a little bit of help for the bowlers, Sri Lanka would have fancied their chances having got to 393 in the first innings. But, to have any chance, they had to get Sehwag out early, and that didn’t happen. This knock, was a champion entertainer at his very best. Pace, Spin, Muralitharan, nothing could dislodge Sehwag as he was in murderous form at The Brabourne Stadium. Ably assisted by first, Murali Vijay, and then Rahul Dravid, Sehwag ensured that the solidity at one end was complemented by savage storke-play at the other.

293. 254 balls. 40 Fours. 7 Sixes. Just 7 runs short of becoming only the third person in history to score three Triple Hundreds in Test cricket.

3. 195 vs Australia, Melbourne Test

This is one innings of Sehwag that doesn’t get as much recognition as it should. On a typical MCG first day wicket, that provided enough assistance to keep the bowlers interested, Sehwag played an absolute blinder. He was cautious at the start. but once he got set, he exploded into life, sending the Aussie bowlers to all parts of the ground. It is a pity that India lost that game. Had India won, this innings would be talked of, as another Sehwag special, but sadly, none of the other Indian batsmen got going, but Ricky Ponting did, giving Australia a series leveling victory.

4. 309 vs Pakistan, Multan Test

India’s first test on Pakistan soil in 15 years, and Sehwag ensured that it will be remembered as the Test match where an Indian finally scored a triple century in Test cricket. Against a decent bowling attack that had the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami and Saqlain Mushtaq, Sehwag was at his usual fearless best. After useful associations with Aakash Chopra and Rahul Dravid, Sehwag put on a mammoth stand with Sachin Tendulkar to take India to a huge first innings score, that set the tone for India to win the match, and went a huge way in ensuring that India won the series.

5. 106 vs England, Nottingham

Sehwag who wasn’t a natural opener was sent out to open in the previous Test and made 84 at Lords, but this time went a step ahead and made his first Test century as an opener. That too under swinging english conditions against some very good bowlers, Viru applied himself and hit 18 fours in his innings before getting out. But he couldn’t repeat his heroics in the second innings as he got out for a duck.

6. 155 vs Australia, Chennai

This was a Test which Sehwag almost won for India. He had a new opening partner in the form of Yuvraj singh for this Test and as usual Viru got off to a flier, but unfortunately other batsmen didn’t give him enough support. He still managed to score 155 with 21 fours. India were set a target of 229 to win on the last day and the Test was nicely poised. Viru hit Mcgrath for three fours at the start of the run chase but the final day was washed away by rain.

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.