Top 3 performances of Virender Sehwag in ODIs

Virender Sehwag was born on this day, October 20, in 1978. His ODI debut for India came in 1999 against Pakistan, where he batted as a spin-bowling all-rounder and could not do much.

However, Sehwag ruled the roost in ODIs eventually, scoring 8273 runs at an average of 35.05 and strike rate of 104.33 in 251 matches, including 15 centuries and 38 fifties, including the best score of 219. He also took 96 wickets at an economy of 3.04 with best bowling figures of 4/6.

Here are the top 3 performances of Virender Sehwag in ODIs:

3. 175 vs Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2011 World Cup

It was the first match of the ICC World Cup 2011, played in Dhaka, Sehwag had said that this was a revenge game for India, as a loss to Bangladesh had knocked them out in the group stage in the 2007 World Cup, and he stayed true to his words. 

India were asked to bat first by Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, and Sehwag began hammering them from ball one. He found an able partner in Virat Kohli, who became the first Indian to score a century (100*) on World Cup debut. Sehwag, meanwhile, scored 175 in 140 balls, hitting 14 fours and five massive sixes, leading India to 370/4 in 50 overs. India won the game by 87 runs in the end and Sehwag was rightly named the Player of the Match.

2. 125* vs New Zealand, Hamilton, 2009

India and New Zealand clashed in the fourth ODI of the series in Hamilton, and posted 270/5 in 47 overs, with Brendon McCullum and Peter McGlashan scoring half-centuries. With rain in sight, Sehwag went after the Kiwi bowling from the get go, while Gautam Gambhir played a support role, feeding him strike.

Sehwag hammered a 60-ball century, scoring 125* in 74 balls with six sixes and 14 fours, while Gambhir made 63* as India’s innings was halted on 201/0 in 23.3 overs. This was the fastest century for India, as Sehwag broke Mohammad Azharuddin’s 62-ball record set in 1988. India eventually won the game by 84 runs through DLS method.

1. 219 vs. West Indies, Indore, 2011

Sehwag was captaining India in the five-ODI series against the West Indies just after the 2011 World Cup win. This was the fourth ODI of the series and was played in Indore. Sehwag was having a terrible time in the series, having scored only 46 runs in the previous three games.

He won the toss and chose to bat first and led from the front. Sehwag added 176 runs for the first wicket with Gautam Gambhir (67) and 140 with Suresh Raina (55). Sehwag reached his 150 in 112 balls and broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 200*, becoming only the second batter to score a double century in ODIs. He made 219 in 149 balls with 25 fours and seven sixes, becoming the first captain to score a double ton in ODIs. India made 418/5, their highest ODI score thus far, and won the game by 153 runs.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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