Over the years, India has developed a number of renowned batting mainstays. However, certain unique player types have left their imprint on the cricket globe at a higher level. Virender Sehwag was one such player who revolutionised the practice of batting, whether in Test cricket or limited over formats. The traditional perception of an opener in Indian cricket was altered by the “Sultan of Najafgarh.”
Therefore, the explosive hitter made his mark on a unique, elite list of ODI cricket batsmen on this day (December 8) in 2011. It is fascinating to note that Sehwag began his career as a middle order batsman and based his style of play on that of his hero, Sachin Tendulkar. However, he was later persuaded to play as an opener by the legendary vision of former Skipper Sourav Ganguly, and the rest is history.
Legendary Tendulkar broke the unbelievable triple-figure milestone in the limited-overs game by slapping South Africa all over the park for pleasure, making him the first man on the earth to hit a double century in the history of men’s ODI cricket. He famously played a magnificent unbroken knock (200*) in Gwalior in 2010. Sehwag stepped up to rightfully justify his hitting ability and made the “God of Cricket” proud by surpassing his amazing performance, which at first seemed impossible for any other batter to attain.
For those who’re not familiar, At Indore’s Holkar Stadium, Virender Sehwag went all guns blazing against the West Indies on this day, scoring a remarkable double-century innings of 219 runs.
Sehwag hit 25 fours and seven sixes in his long knock, which involved facing 149 balls. Sehwag therefore became the second batter after Tendulkar to score a double century in ODI history.
In their history as an ODI team, India achieved their best score.
Among other outstanding efforts, Gautam Gambhir’s 67-run knock at the beginning of the match was a fantastic supporting role for Sehwag. Afterwards, Suresh Raina’s half-century added the finishing touch. It was not until Kieron Pollard’s 47th over that Virender Sehwag was eventually dismissed. But, with Team India scoring an incredible 418 runs by the end of the 50 overs, it appeared to be too late for the visitors. Actually, this score is still the greatest that Team India has ever achieved in ODI history.
Speaking of the bowling of the West Indies, Kemar Roach and Andre Russell each took a wicket, aside from Pollard. Kieran Powell gave the Caribbean team an early shock in the second over itself. The remainder of the West Indian team quickly collapsed under the burden of a target that appeared to be almost impossible to chase. Denesh Ramdin was the only batter who had the guts to put up a fight and show some resistance; he was barely four runs away from a heroic century (96 runs).
Leg spinner Rahul Sharma and star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja both claimed three wickets for the home team’s bowling attack. India ultimately prevailed by a massive margin of 153 runs after the West Indies were bowled out for 265.
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