Last Sunday (8th December) was the eighth anniversary of Virender Sehwag‘s record-breaking ODI double-century, which was also the highest individual ODI score at that time. While Sehwag recalled that moment, the veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed that Sehwag even could score 300 in ODI if five fielders remained in the circle at all time.
It was the Indore ODI between the hosts India and the visitors West Indies on 8th December 2011, which was the fourth ODI of the five-match bilateral ODI series. After winning the toss, Indian captain Virender Sehwag decided to bat first.
Openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag provided a very good start as they had a 176-run partnership. While Gambhir was dismissed on 67 runs, Sehwag carried on his familiar aggressive batting. Then Sehwag also had another 140 runs partnership for the second wicket with Suresh Raina, who was out on 55 runs.
Virender Sehwag completed his half-century in 41 balls while completed his century in just 69 balls. The right-handed opening batsman took 43 balls to score his next 50 runs. Later, Sehwag became the only second batsman, after Sachin Tendulkar (200*), to hit an ODI double-century which he completed in just 140 balls. With that knock, Virender Sehwag also became the highest individual ODI run-scorer in an innings as he scored 219 runs off 149 balls (25 fours and 7 sixes). However, at present, it is the third-highest individual runs in an ODI innings but still the best ODI innings by a captain.
His batting helped India to manage a giant first innings total of 418/5 (50 overs). India easily won that match by 153 runs as the visitors were bundled out for just 265 runs (49.2 overs). With that victory, India secured that series with the lead of 3-1 with one to go.
On this special occasion (eighth anniversary), Virender Sehwag recalled that moment on his official Instagram account.
He wrote, ”8 years #timeflies faster than the ball used to #indore219”
What a legend – Harbhajan Singh on Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag’s long-time national teammate, Harbhajan Singh didn’t play in that game. While the former aggressive opener remembered that special moment, the veteran off-spinner Harbhajan felt that Sehwag could even score 300 runs in an ODI innings if the five fielders always remained in the circle. Harbhajan also called Sehwag a legend.
Harbhajan replied on that post, “Imagine bowling to him with 5 fielders in the circle at all time.. he would have got 300 in odi too.. what a legend.”
In Indian Test cricket history, Virender Sehwag is still holding the record of the highest individual score in an innings – 319 against South Africa at Chennai. Earlier, Sehwag also scored another triple-century in Test career which was 309 runs against Pakistan at Multan in March 2004.
While Sehwag-Harbhajan played 241international matches in together, Harbhajan was in the playing XI during the Chennai Test against South Africa.