Monday, December 26, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Sehwag smashes highest ODI score; leads India to 418
It took nearly 40 years for a batsman to score the first double-century in one-day international cricket but less than two years for the second. Virender Sehwag, the batsman most touted to break Sachin Tendulkar's record for the highest individual ODI score, didn't merely break it - he shattered it and raised the bar so high that it's hard to imagine anyone, apart from Sehwag himself, raising it higher.
Unlike Tendulkar in Gwalior, Sehwag wasn't running out of time as he raced towards 200 in Indore. He got there in the 44th over and had made 219 off 149 balls by the time he was dismissed in the 47th. And in one of cricket's stranger coincidences, both ODI double-centuries were scored in the same Indian state - Madhya Pradesh - at venues less than 500 kilometres apart.
Sehwag's performance led India to 418 for 5, their highest ODI total, and all but ensured India would extend their 2-1 lead and win the five-match series against West Indies. It was an innings characteristic of Sehwag's approach to batting. He hit his second ball for four and simply did not stop. He took plenty of risks too, surviving two run-out chances and two dropped catches, but thundered on, ensuring India's run-rate stayed above seven after the 15th over. Sehwag's only out-of-character moment came in the 20th over, when he dived to avoid being run out. Sehwag never dives. It was a sign that he was determined to stay the course. He went to 50 off 41 balls, to 100 off 69 balls, to 150 off 112 and past 200 off 140. The record was broken with a withering cut that sped to the backward-point boundary, and he celebrated with an aggressive fist-pump before breaking into a smile.
Before this game, and after each of the previous three in the series, Sehwag had admitted that the top-order failures, which he contributed to, were the reason India had struggled in their three chases. Sehwag had made a duck in the previous match in Ahmedabad, where India lost, but led by example today.
India hadn't had a century opening stand for 22 matches. They did two things differently at the Holkar Cricket Stadium. They chose to bat and also opened with their strongest combination, Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, who will open in Australia, and pushed Parthiv Patel down the order. The upshot of those decisions was an opening partnership of 176 that began smoothly, picked up speed, and gathered the momentum of a runaway train before it was eventually ended, inevitably, by a run-out.
A strong crowd continued the trend of resurging attendances during the home ODIs and they cheered the first boundary in the second over, when Sehwag flicked Ravi Rampaul's first ball for four - a treatment he would give three other West Indian bowlers. The first six came off Kemar Roach - a bouncer steered over the slip cordon and placed fine enough to avoid third man. Sehwag looked dangerous from the start.
Gambhir did not. Roach and Rampaul denied him room in the first few overs and pinned him to the crease with their lengths. He inside-edged past his stumps and struggled to pierce the off-side field. After making only 3 off 15 balls, Gambhir finally had the width he needed and cut Roach to the point boundary. He half-edged, half-steered the next ball wide of the cordon, and was away.
Both batsmen, however, could have been dismissed on 20. Sehwag had given up hope of making his ground but Kieron Pollard missed the stumps from point, and Andre Russell dropped Gambhir on his follow through.
Gambhir began to steer, cut and drive through the off side frequently, going over fielders' heads and placing wide of the boundary riders. Seven of his first nine fours were in this region. Sehwag brought up the 50 stand in the ninth over by glancing Russell to the fine-leg boundary. India ended the mandatory Powerplay on 63 for 0.
The field spread after that but it didn't matter. Sehwag and Gambhir scored 45 runs between overs 11 and 15. This passage began with Sehwag hoisting the offspinner Sunil Narine's first ball over the long-on boundary. He then launched Darren Sammy's first inside out over extra cover. The 100 partnership came in the 15th over, when Gambhir glanced Narine to the fine-leg boundary. This passage ended with Sehwag hammering Narine again, this time into the stands beyond deep midwicket.
The field came in for the bowling Powerplay and Gambhir immediately cut Roach through point, and then dabbed for a single to reach his half-century off 51 balls. The smash-and-dab combo was a feature of the partnership. The bowling Powerplay produced 41 runs.
Sehwag ran amok, plundering everyone. He got to his hundred with a fierce cut, hit in the air, grazing the fingertips of the leaping fielder at point before speeding to the boundary. The next ball, he ran Gambhir out, to a direct hit from Samuels. Visibly upset with himself, Sehwag continued to punish West Indies.
When he was hitting fours, Sehwag preferred to go square of the wicket, flicking and glancing the numerous deliveries he was fed on the pads. When he wanted six, he usually went straighter, targeting the arc between midwicket and long-on. He hit 25 fours and seven sixes in all.
Against a deflated bowling attack, Suresh Raina settled in quickly and brought up India's 200 in the 27th over with a cut to the boundary. India waited until the 36th over to take the batting Powerplay, and in its first over, Sehwag took 13 off Marlon Samuels. On 170, in the 38th over, Sehwag spooned Rampaul towards cover, where Sammy dropped a dolly, leaving the bowler distraught.
The rest of the innings was a blur of boundaries and landmarks. Raina got to his half-century off 42 balls. India reached 300 off 39.1 overs. Sehwag broke his personal best - 175 against Bangladesh in the World Cup - with a flick to the square-leg boundary. He went past 8000 ODI runs with a chip over the fielder at short fine leg That shot took him from 191 to 195, and soon he was cutting Russell to send India into rapture.
When he was dismissed - lofting Pollard to the substitute Anthony Martin at long-off - most of the West Indian fielders came from various corners of the ground to shake his hand.
World record, 219: Sehwag runs past Sachin, hits highest in ODI
Flamboyant Indian batsman Virender Sehwag today created history by becoming the highest scorer ever in a one-day innings and the second cricketer after team-mate Sachin Tendulkar to score a double century in the fourth ODI against the West Indies.
Sehwag smashed his way into the record books with his stupendous 219, surpassing Tendulkar's 200 not out against South Africa in Gwalior on February 24 last year.
This remarkable achievement gives Sehwag the unique distinction of being India's top scorer in both Tests and ODIs. He had scored 319 against South Africa in Chennai in 2008.
The dashing opener reached the double century milestone when he square-cut Andre Russell for a boundary in the 44th over of the Indian innings, setting off wild celebrations in the stands and dressing room at the jam-packed Holkar Stadium.
He faced 140 balls and hit 23 fours and six sixes in his marathon innings. Tendulkar had made his 200 not out from 147 balls.
Sehwag punched the air with his right hand after reaching his double century before Rohit Sharma embraced him. He raised both his hands to acknowledge the cheers from the crowd.
The spectators in the stadium stood on their feet to applaud Sehwag's stupendous feat while his colleagues in the dressing also gave him a standing ovation.
Sehwag then hit a few more lusty shots, one four and a six, before finally getting out to a tired-looking shot off Kieron Pollard in the 47th over. He faced 149 balls and hit 25 fours and seven sixes in his 219.
Virender Sehwag says never expected to score a double hundred in ODIs
INDORE: Skipper Virender Sehwag, who on Thursday created history by scoring the highest ODI score of 219, admitted that he never expected to score a double hundred although the thought only crossed his mind during the batting Powerplays.
Pics: Sehwag slams highest ODI score | Sehwag's profile | Scorecard
"I never expected to score a double hundred. While opening the innings, I told Gautam Gambhir that if we can show some patience on this track, we will be in for a big one as the wicket is a good one. The outfield is fantastic and the distance of the boundary is only 50 yards," Sehwag said after his epic knock of 219 off just 149 balls against the West Indies.
The dashing opener said that once the batting Powerplay started, the thought of reaching double hundred crossed his mind.
"It was only after the batting Powerplay started, I felt that I could reach double hundred. Also when Sammy dropped me (at 170), I knew that God was with me," Sehwag stated.
He thanked his family and thousands of fans who had always had the expectation that he can score a double hundred in ODIs.
"I want to thank my family and fans. I know people expected me to score a double century. Today when I wanted to hit a six, I just did that."
Sehwag said that he was determined to make amends for the string of poor scores in the first three ODIs.
"I have said this earlier also that the top-order needs to contribute. It was a wicket where one could score big runs if he stayed around for 30 overs."
The historic knock certainly seemed to have taken a toll on Sehwag as he smiled and said: "Obviously, I am very tired. I am an old man now and my back gets stiff. So I need to take an ice bath."
Player | Country | Best | Opp | Venue | Year |
Virender Sehwag | India | 219 | WI | Indore | 2011 |
Sachin Tendulkar | India | 200* | SA | Gwalior | 2010 |
Charles Coventry | Zimbabwe | 194* | Bangladesh | Bulawayo | 2009 |
Saeed Anwar | Pakistan | 194 | India | Chennai | 1997 |
Viv Richards | West Indies | 189* | England | Old Trafford | 1984 |
Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 189 | India | Sharjah | 2000 |
Gary Kirsten | SA | 188* | UAE | Rawalpindi | 1996 |
Sachin Tendulkar | India | 186* | New Zealand | Hyderabad | 1999 |
Shane Watson | Australia | 185* | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 2011 |
MS Dhoni | India | 183* | Sri Lanka | Jaipur | 2005 |
Virender Sehwag celebrates scoring double century
India's captain Virender Sehwag celebrates scoring double century and his world record one-day score during their fourth one day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. Sehwag smashed compatriot Sachin Tendulkar's world record one-day score.(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's captain Virender Sehwag celebrates scoring double century and his world record one-day score during their fourth one day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. Sehwag smashed compatriot
Sachin Tendulkar's world record one-day score.(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
An unidentified person, right, offers a bouquet to India's captain Virender Sehwag, left, after he scored double century and world record one-day score during their fourth one day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. Sehwag smashed compatriot Sachin Tendulkar's world record one-day score.(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's captain Virender Sehwag plays a shot during their fourth one-day international cricket match against the West Indies in Indore December 8, 2011. REUTERS/Amit Dave (INDIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET)
India's captain Virender Sehwag runs between the wickets during their fourth one day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
West Indies' captain Darren Sammy, standing, watches teammate Kieron Pollard react after he fell on the ground missing a catch to dismiss India's batsman Gautam Gambhir, not seen, during their fourth one day international cricket match in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
West Indies' captain Darren Sammy, right, gestures to his fielders as teammate Andre Russell watches during their fourth one day international cricket match against India in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Suresh Raina plays a shot during their fourth one-day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore December 8, 2011. REUTERS/Amit Dave (INDIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET)
West Indies' captain Darren Sammy reacts a boundary was hit off his delivery during their fourth one day international cricket match against India in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's captain Virender Sehwag, right, raises his bat to celebrate scoring a century as teammate Gautam Gambhir walks past during their fourth one day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's captain Virender Sehwag, right, and teammate Gautam Gambhir greet each other during their fourth one-day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's captain Virender Sehwag (R) and his teammate Gautam Gambhir run between the wickets as West Indies' captain Darren Sammy (L) watches during their fourth one-day international cricket match in Indore December 8, 2011. REUTERS/Amit Dave (INDIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET)
India's captain Virender Sehwag raises his bat to celebrate scoring a half century during their fourth one day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
West Indies' bowler Andre Russell, right, reacts after he dropped a catch off India's batsman Gautam Gambhir, left, during their fourth one day international cricket match in Indore, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Gautam Gambhir watches the ball after playing a shot during their fourth one-day international cricket match against the West Indies in Indore December 8, 2011. REUTERS/Amit Dave (INDIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET)
West Indies' Andre Russell reacts after he dropped a catch off the bat of India's Gautam Gambhir during their fourth one-day international cricket match in Indore December 8, 2011. REUTERS/Amit Dave (INDIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET)
India's Gautam Gambhir plays a shot during their fourth one-day international cricket match against the West Indies in Indore December 8, 2011
Virender Sehwag breaks Tendulkar's ODI record
Indore: Indian opener Virender Sehwag smashed the highest score in one-day cricket when he scored 219 in the fourth ODI against the West Indies in Indore on Thursday.
The 33-year-old joined compatriot Sachin Tendulkar as the only batsmen to hit double-centuries in the 50-over format as he moved past 200 in the 44th over of India's innings at the Holkar stadium in Indore.
Tendulkar, the world's leading Test and one-day batsman, made 200 not out against South Africa in Gwalior in February 2010.
Sehwag surpassed Tendulkar's score when, on 197, he cut Andre Russell to the point fence for his 23rd boundary.
It was Sehwag's 15th three-figure knock in one-day cricket and the first since making 175 against Bangladesh in the opening match of the World Cup in Dhaka in February this year.
Sehwag was closing in on the highest score ever in an ODI — 229 by Australian women's cricket legend Belinda Clark — when he was dismissed by Kieron Pollard.
Sehwag scored his 219 runs off just 149 balls, scoring 25 fours and seven sixes. The 32 hits to the boundary are also an ODI record, beating Tendulkar's 28 in the Gwalior game.
Sehwag's innings was the third highest in all limited overs cricket. The record is still held by Alistair Brown, who had made 268 in a county game for Surrey against Glamorgan in 2002.
The only other score above Sehwag's is 222 not out by Graeme Pollock for Eastern Province against Border in 1974-75.
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