Twenty years ago, on March 29, 2004, the cricket world witnessed a momentous occasion when Virender Sehwag, the opener for India at the time, made history by being the first batsman from India to hit a triple century in a Test match. Sehwag’s incredible batting display on the second day of the India-Pakistan Multan Test will live on in history.
Sehwag achieved the milestone with a six-over mid-wicket against off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, in keeping with his signature aggressive batting style. As Sehwag reached his triple century, he broke the marks held by Sunil Gavaskar (236), Sachin Tendulkar (unbeaten 241), and VVS Laxman (281), which were all impressive feats. Still, Matthew Hayden’s massive 380, which at the time was the highest Tests individual score, was unaffected.
India was well positioned at 509 for three downs after Sehwag’s historic innings of 309 came to an end when he nicked Mohammad Sami to the first slip. He was at the wicket for an incredible 531 minutes during his 375-ball performance. 39 boundaries and six massive sixes were credited to Sehwag on the scoreboard.
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The match is also famous, intriguingly enough, for the declaration call made by Rahul Dravid, the Indian captain at the time, which left the great Sachin Tendulkar stranded at 194 and not out. By an innings and fifty-two runs, Pakistan (407 and 216) lost to India (675 for five declared).
View Virender Sehwag’s amazing first triple-century knock by clicking this link:
Virender Sehwag First Indian to hit a Test triple-century #ONTHISDAY 29-03-2004 @ Multan. @virendersehwag on 228* at the end of 1st Day. He achieved that milestone with a six over midwicket off @Saqlain_Mushtaq. He Scored 309 / 375 balls (39 4s , 6 6s).pic.twitter.com/FAYKjrr76H
— Zohaib (Cricket King)
(@Zohaib1981) March 29, 2024
Sehwag is a member of Sir Don Bradman’s exclusive Triple Tonne Club.
Cricket legends still surround Virender Sehwag’s brave innings, which were played with seeming indifference to the hazards involved. The fact that ten of his most recent Test hundreds have scored more than 150 runs indicates just how much of an impact he has had on the game. As the only hitter to score triple tonnes twice in Test cricket, the “Nawab of Najafgarh” thus earned himself induction into an exclusive group alongside legends Sir Don Bradman and Brian Lara.
Virender Sehwag scored 8,586 runs at an average of 49.34 during his incredible Test career, which spanned 104 matches. Cricket history will never forget his greatest individual score of 319. With an impressive strike rate of 82.23, Sehwag’s aggressive style produced 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries. A remarkable 1,233 fours and 91 sixes were among his boundary totals.
India
