On 8th December 2011, Indian aggressive opening batsman Virender Sehwag became the second batsman to hit ODI double-century and created a new record of the highest individual score in ODI history. It was also the first-ever ODI double-century as a captain.
This remarkable innings was played by Virender Sehwag, after less than two years of first-ever ODI double-century, which the legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (200*) hit against South Africa at Gwalior on 24th February 2010.
Sehwag hit his only ODI double-century during the fourth ODI of the five-match home ODI series against West Indies at Holkar Stadium (Indore). In the absence of Indian captain MS Dhoni, Sehwag played the captaincy role in that ODI series (Gautam Gambhir led the Indian team in the fifth and final ODI of that series in the absence of Sehwag).
Leading the series by 2-1 margin, Indian captain Virender Sehwag won the toss in the fourth ODI of that series and chose to bat first. Sehwag and his opening partner Gautam Gambhir provided a powerful start for the hosts as they set up the 176 runs partnership for the opening wicket in only 22.5 overs. While Gambhir was run-out after scoring 67 runs off 67 balls, Sehwag already completed his 15th and last ODI century in just 69 balls.
Sehwag continued his familiar batting even after continued his century. While the right-handed batsman completed his 150 runs in 112 balls, he reached the ODI double-century in 140 balls. On the third ball of 44th over of that innings, Sehwag played a cut shot to the third man for a four and completed his ODI double-century as well as he also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s highest individual ODI score record (200*) by moving on 201 runs.
Virender Sehwag’s each 50 runs completion in the number of balls during his only ODI double-century
- Completed 50 runs in 41 balls (3 fours and 4 sixes)
- Completed 100 runs in 69 balls (10 fours and 5 sixes)
- Completed 150 runs in 112 balls (16 fours and 5 sixes)
- Completed 200 runs in 140 balls (23 fours and 6 sixes)
After scoring 219 runs off 149 balls (25 fours and 7 sixes), Sehwag was caught out at long-off in the 47th over of that innings. India finally scored 418/5 in 50 overs, which is still India’s highest ODI total.
Though Sehwag’s 219 runs knock is currently the third-highest individual ODI score, it is still the record of highest individual ODI score as a captain. Meanwhile, the 140-ball double-century is currently the second-fastest ODI double-century, standing just behind of Chris Gayle‘s 138-ball ODI double-century (against Zimbabwe at Canberra on 24th February 2015).