Cricket: Sehwag becomes 2nd batsman to slam 200 in ODIs

Mangalore Today News Network

Indore, Dec 8, 2011: The entire cricketing world was treated to an encore of an unbelievable feat as Delhi Blaster Virender Sehwag bullishly slammed an ODI double century, a rarity only achieved once before by Sachin Tendulkar.

Sehwag was pitted as the man to be the first one to reach Tendulkar’s record by the Master himself and he stood true to the reputation. Becoming the highest run-scorer in ODI history (219), Sehwag not only crossed Sachin but also helped India post a formidable 419-run target against the visitors.

The 418/5 was also India’s highest total in ODI matches.

He got to the 200 in 140 balls; the first 100 came in only 69 balls. He also crossed 8,000 ODI runs during the knock.

This is Sehwag’s 15th ODI century and answers all the critics that have been blaming the top-order’s indifferent form and Sehwag’s bad captaincy for India’s 16-run loss to the Windies in the 3rd ODI at Ahmedabad.

Sachin Tendulkar got his 200 against South Africa at Gwalior in February 2010. Tendulkar had scored 200 not out off 147 balls to take India to 401/3 in that game.

Sehwag’s feat, however, would not have been possible without a little help from West Indies skipper Darren Sammy, who dropped the Delhi batsman off a Ravi Rampaul delivery in the 38th over when Sehwag was batting on 170. But then what is a great Sehwag innings without the adventure?