Indore, Dec 8 (IANS) Virender Sehwag set the One-Day International’s highest individual score (219)ever here Thursday with some sensational hitting in the fourth ODI against the West Indies that took India to its highest ODI total of 418/5.
Sehwag surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten 200. His 149-ball carnage of the West Indies bowling was laced with 25 fours and seven sixes. Tendulkar’s 200 off 147 balls (25×4, 3×6) came against South Africa at Gwalior, also in the state of Madhya Pradesh, in February 2010. He was the first cricketer ever to score a double century in ODIs.
Sehwag now has the distinction of being India’s top scorer in both Tests and ODIs. His Test best is 319 against South Africa in Chennai in 2008.
Riding on Sehwag’s power-packed performance, India surpassed its best ODI total of 414/7 against Sri Lanka at Rajkot in 2009.
The stand-in captain, Sehwag was lucky to win the toss for the fourth consecutive time in the series and decided to bat.
The explosive opener took his regular partner Gautam Gambhir (67) to open the innings, having batted with Parthiv Patel for three matches without any success. In fact, the top-order batting was becoming bit of a bother for India.
But Sehwag responded the way only he can, tearing apart the West Indies bowlers. The spectators were literally up on their feet as Sehwag dealt in fours and sixes.
Sehwag and Gambhir blasted 176 runs in 22.5 overs, setting the pace for the big total on a belter of a track.
Gambhir, who survived a dropped chance, hit 11 fours before being run out.
Suresh Raina, who was also going through a bad patch in the series contributed 55, and was involved in a 140-run stand with Sehwag. Raina was also run out of from Andre Russel throw from the deep.
Sehwag was the dominating partner in both the partnerships. He stroked the ball with immaculate timing.
He got a life when he was on 171 with West Indies captain Darren Sammy dropping a sitter.
Excitment was pitch high as Sehwag neared his double century. He made the most of the life and got past Tendulkar’s record with a four through point off Andre Russel, sparking celebrations in the packed Holkar Stadium. On reaching the landmark, Sehwag punched the air in elation and raised his hands to acknowledge the cheers from the crowd. Sehwag’s double ton came in 142 balls.
He was finally dismissed by Kieron Pollard, caught by substitute Anthony Martin at long on.
Sehwag’s top score before this innings was 175 against Bangladesh in the World Cup opener earlier this year.
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