#ThisDayThatYear: Virender Sehwag rules Multan with a triple century
What's the story
On March 29, 2004, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag etched his name in the record books with an uncanny batting display. Sehwag became the first Indian to have smashed a triple century in Test cricket. While the entire crowd awaited the 'Sachin vs Shoaib' battle, a ferocious Virender Sehwag swayed away the entire attention. Here is how he ruled the roost.
Day 1
Sehwag completed his double hundred on Day 1
Indian skipper Rahul Dravid won the toss and elected to bat on a flat Multan deck. Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag stitched a 160-run stand before the former was dismissed on 42. Dravid too followed Chopra soon, having fallen to Mohammad Sami. Sehwag paired up with Sachin Tendulkar and emanated his brutal assault on the Pakistani bowlers. India put up 356/2 on Day 1.
Mayhem
Sehwag crossed the 300-run mark on Day 2
On the following day, Sehwag whacked the bowlers all around the ground and reached his triple hundred in grand fashion. Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar too completed his ton as the duo added 336 runs for the third wicket. Sehwag was finally dismissed on 309 which he racked up off 375 deliveries. The scintillating knock was studded with 39 fours and 6 sixes.
Result
India claimed a terrific innings victory
India declared after putting up a mammoth 675/5. Although Pakistan staged a terrific fightback, the visitors bundled them out for 407 and enforced a follow-on. Anil Kumble snapped up a six-wicket haul in the second innings as the hosts were yet again bowled on 216. India won the Multan classic by an innings and 52 runs. Sehwag was named the Player of the Match.
Information
Sehwag overhauled his own record in 2008
Four years later (March 29, 2008), Virender Sehwag bettered his own feat by scoring yet another triple century (319), this time against South Africa at home. He brought up his 300 in 278 balls, still the fastest triple ton in Test cricket (balls faced).
Edgy moment
Sehwag saw off the nervous moment with a six
The Mutan Test saw quite a few nerve-wracking moments throughout. Sehwag, in a recent show, revealed how his batting partner Tendulkar advised him not to settle for only a ton. Interestingly, the former did not hit any maximum after completing his hundred. However, batting on 295, Sehwag did not hold back and hammered Saqlain Mushtaq for a six to bring up his 300.