6 Best Virender Sehwag knocks that left the world in awe

6 Best Virender Sehwag knocks that left the world in awe: Before the Gayles and De Villiers, there was one batsman who was feared universally, especially in Test cricket, the former Indian opener Virender Sehwag. From being dubbed as “duplicate Sachin” to creating a niche for himself and revolutionizing opening in Test cricket, Virender Sehwag is perhaps one of the most influential cricketers of the 21^st century.

Despite his waning powers, Sehwag still thrives to score big, and not because of the pressure to score quickly to help the team, rather, he scores as he likes. That’s what made Sehwag a fan favorite during his prime, and a universally feared batsman. Irrespective of the circumstance of the match, he would just blast away the opposition on his day. Such was his impact, that acclaimed writer and former cricketer Derek Pringle declared Sehwag as the best player of the decade 2000-2009.

Viru announced his retirement from international cricket on his 37^th birthday but, his greatest knocks will be forever cherished.

1. 219 v West Indies, Indore, 2011:

Sehwag was heavily touted to break the 200 barrier in ODIs, ever since his consistent performances up at the top of the order in ODIs and Tests. But it was his opening partner in ODIs, Sachin Tendulkar, who went on to breach the barrier. But in less than 2 years later, Sehwag held the record for his own, as he absolutely smashed the hapless West Indies at Indore and went on to score 219. Despite not having fulfilled his wish to bat the entire 50 overs, he did eventually bat for 47 overs, his longest ever duration on the crease. The 219 came off 149 balls, with 25 fours and 7 sixes. Though the record has been hence broken by Indian opener Rohit Sharma, this knock always holds a special place in the hearts of Indian cricket fans.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2qk5fq_virender-sehwag-219-runs-vs-west-indies-video-highlights-8-12-11-8-december-2011-cricket-highlights_sport

2. 83 v England, Chennai, 2008:

The only non century score to feature in the list, this innings was pure vintage Sehwag, and gives an abridged version of why Sehwag was considered one of the greatest match-winners in Test cricket. In a see-saw of a Test match, India were given a target of 387 to chase, with 4 sessions to go. A 90s Indian team would have tried to defend till the end of times, and savage a draw. But with Sehwag on crease, literally anything is possible, and on that day, he triggered what went on to be one of India’s best victories. He absolutely thrashed England’s Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar all over the park, and scored an incredible 83 off just 68 balls. His innings gave the jumpstart the team required, and a Sachin Tendulkar with a hundred ensured that India crossed the ropes, and dismissed the ghost of Chennai 1999.

3. 201* v Sri Lanka, Galle, 2008:

Sehwag became one of the very few players from India to carry his bat in that Test match. While he was one of the most unexpected of players to achieve the landmark, the knock in consideration and the circumstances under which he scored those runs makes it even more special. While his partners were reeling under the pressure of playing against both the mystery spinner Ajanta Mendis and Muralitharan, Sehwag did what he does the best- smashed. Only 3 batsmen from India crossed double digits, and Sehwag contributed 60-65% to the team score (201*) off the team total (329). India eventually went on to win the match, and level the series. Sehwag was known for his abilities to score big, and this was just another proof as to why he is held in such a high regard internationally.

4. 151 v Australia, Adelaide, 2008:

Following Sachin’s exquisite 153 in the 1st innings, which drove India to 526, it looked almost like India would stage an unlikely comeback in the series post the Sydney Test debacle. But Australia’s reply of 563 not only ruled out any chance of an Indian victory, but also put pressure on India coming into the final day of the Test. But then again, Sehwag was in the crease, and he was at his natural best. Another innings wherein Sehwag was the lone pillar for India, no one except him crossed 20 and extras was India’s second highest scorer. An innings of pure class, which surprisingly saw him defend, Sehwag bailed India out of a possible defeat, and helped India savage a draw. Sehwag was awarded the Wisden Leading cricketer of the year, 2008; with that he became the first Indian to win the prestigious award.

5. 309 v Pakistan, Multan, 2004:

‘The Sultan of Multan’ was the title given by the media post this knock, and quite aptly. Against fierce rivals in their own backyard, Virender Sehwag produced an innings which etched him forever in the hearts of Indians, becoming the first ever Indian cricketer to score a triple century in Test cricket. It was another Sehwag classic, wherein none of the bowlers found any respite against the Nawab of Najafgarh. Saqlain Mustaq, who happened to play his last Test match, was taken to cleaners, and was in the receiving end of that epic 6 which took Sehwag to 300. This was truly the innings which elevated Sehwag from just another opener to one of the best.

6. 293 v Sri Lanka, Mumbai, 2009:

An innings which can be described in two words – absolute carnage. Sehwag slaughtered the Sri Lankan bowling attack on a pitch which favored the batsmen. None of the bowlers, including Muralitharan, were spared, and Sehwag ended up scoring 284 in a single day, just 16 short of becoming the first ever batsman to score 300 in a single day. But eventually he was dismissed for 293, just 7 short of a record breaking 3^rd triple century. But he broke the record of fastest 250, and holds the record for the 2^nd fastest 200. This innings really showed Sehwag’s true value for the team, and aptly, India rose to the top of the rankings following the series. He was the Man of the Series, and by the end of the year became the first player ever to retain the Wisden Leading cricketer of the year award.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHHVZGTKj7w

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