OTD: Virender Sehwag nearly became the first man to score three triple-centuries in Test cricket in 2009

Virender Sehwag is one of the finest openers to have played for India. Among the greats of the game, like Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag managed to carve his own legacy as an opening batter.

While Sehwag had a dashing record in white-ball cricket, he excelled in the longest format of the game just as well. The Nawab of Najafgarh played 104 Tests, scoring 8586 runs at an average of 49.34. He liked to dominate bowlers, and his Test strike rate of 82.24 accentuates the same. 

During his illustrious career, Sehwag scored two triple centuries. The first against Pakistan in Multan in 2004 as the right-handed batter amassed 309 off 375 deliveries, hitting 39 fours and six sixes. Four years later, he slammed his second triple century as he got 319 off just 304 balls in Chennai against South Africa. His knock comprised 42 fours and five sixes.

No batter till now has scored three triple centuries in Test cricket. However, Sehwag had the opportunity to set the record in December 2009. In the third Test against Sri Lanka in Brabourne, Sehwag bludgeoned his way to 293 off 254 balls, belting 40 fours and seven maximums. However, he was dismissed by the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan just seven short of the historic landmarks. Sehwag finished his knock with a strike rate of 115.35, getting caught and bowled by Muralitharan.

Sehwag’s knock helped India declare on a staggering 726/9 after dismissing Sri Lanka for 393 in the first innings. The tourists were bowled out for 309. India won the match by an innings and 24 runs. With this victory, India bagged the series 2-0. Sehwag won the Player of the Match award for his exemplary performance. He was also adjudged Player of the Series after finishing as the highest run-scorer, with 491 runs from four innings.

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