Top 5 game-changing knocks by Sehwag

Today is the 39th birthday of the former Indian opener Virender Sehwag. It is well-known that he terrified bowlers with his effortless batting style and excellent hand-eye coordination. He formed a devastating opening partnership with Sachin Tendulkar, and won many matches for India almost single-handedly.

The "Nawab of Najafgarh" did all the talking with his bat, and entertained the country throughout his illustrious career.

Let us take a look at some of his knocks that helped India win.

#5 122 vs CSK (2014)

The only non-test knock on this list, his score of 122 that day surprised many. He was at the fag end of his career, and his selection in the Kings XI team was much debated. However, he rose to the occasion in the all-important Qualifier, smashing 122 runs off 58 balls, including 12 fours and 8 sixes. His knock even overshadowed Suresh Raina's 87 off 25 balls.

Eventually, Kings XI Punjab won by 14 runs and progressed to the final thanks to Sehwag.

#4 293 vs Sri Lanka (2009)

Sehwag missed his third triple century by just seven runs

This masterclass of a batting display will forever be etched in the minds of Indian cricket fans. Sri Lanka posted a competitive 393 in the first innings, and Sehwag came out firing on all guns to blast 284 runs; this is still the most runs scored by an Indian in a single day in a Test match! Although he fell for 293 to the wily Murali, his power performance had the opponents succumb to an innings defeat.

India became No. 1 in Test rankings after that series.

#3 201* vs Sri Lanka (2008)

He entertained the crowd with aplomb

The islanders were once again at the receiving end - when the rest of the Indian batting order collapsed, Sehwag held fort. Ajantha Mendis ran riot as India were all out for 329 in the first innings, with Sehwag scoring 201*. That innings made all the difference between a win and a draw, and India comfortably won by 170 runs.

This knock has to be his best overseas, and the 195 he scored against the Aussies at Melbourne comes a close second.

#2 309 vs Pakistan (2004)

Sehwag became the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket

If one knock changed the face of Indian cricket, it has to be Sehwag's 309 in the Multan test. It was a delight to watch him score the first triple century by an Indian in Tests, brought about in style with a six. That performance underlined his credentials as a fearless batsman.

India won by an innings and 52 runs, but that match was well and truly owned by Sehwag.

#1 83 vs England (2008)

One of the most defining knocks of his career

Probably the best knock in Sehwag's career, although not a big century. India was set a daunting target of 387 in just over 90 overs on a worn-out fifth-day pitch. Out came this man to score 83 runs off 68 balls, and set up the platform for the Master Blaster to pull off an unexpected victory.

Tendulkar later dedicated the win to all the brave souls who lost their lives in the Mumbai terror attack. Those 83 runs had more context than many other hundreds, and it instilled the belief and confidence that any target could be achieved with this man at the crease.