Top 5 Legendary Innings of Virender Sehwag That Redefined Indian Cricket

Remembering Virender Sehwag’s 5 Greatest Innings That Defined His Legacy

It has been a decade since Virender Sehwag said goodbye to international cricket yet his free-spirited attitude and aggressive batting style still captivate cricketers around the world. Notably, Sehwag chose to announce his international retirement on October 20, which also happens to be his birthday marking the conclusion of an entire epoch of Indian cricket.

Sehwag was a cricketer like none other – free-spirited, instinctive, and hauntingly effective. He was a crowd favorite, regularly dispatched world-class bowling attacks all while smiling. Whether it was with his effortless triple centuries in Tests, or record-breaking double century in ODIs, Sehwag did cricket on his own terms.

As the Nawab of Najafgarh celebrates turning 47 years, let’s partake in another of his greatest four innings that continue to etch his name deep within our hearts.

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5) 195 Against Australia (Melbourne, 2003)

The 2003 Boxing Day Test is still talked about as one of Virender Sehwag’s best moments. He faced a strong Australian pace attack at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and blasted 195 runs off just 233 balls.

He hit 25 fours and 5 sixes, taking apart bowlers like Brett Lee and Stuart MacGill. He helped India reach a great first innings score of 366. Even though Ricky Ponting’s 257 helped Australia win, Sehwag’s innings showed how brave he was playing overseas. It proved that India had a new kind of opener, one who didn’t just get by when playing abroad, but took charge.

4) 219 Runs vs West Indies (Indore, 2011)

Indian cricket on the 8th of December, 2011, went through a seismic change. Sehwag in the role of captain, simply tore apart the West Indies bowling attack by scoring 219 off 149 balls, thus becoming the second player (after Sachin Tendulkar) to register a double century in ODIs, just.

By Virender Sehwag’s brilliant knock which was littered with 25 fours and 7 sixes, India were able to score a staggering 418/5. Along with Gautam Gambhir(67) and Suresh Raina (55) the trio of Sehwag’s attack was like a nightmare for the West Indies bowlers. The West Indies after that capitulated to a 153-run defeat as they could only manage 265 in their innings.

Virender Sehwag, on that day, went beyond just piling up runs he completely changed the concept of one-day cricket.

3) 293 Runs vs Sri Lanka (Mumbai, 2009)

Sehwag peaked when he made 293 in 254 balls against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium. His innings comprised of 40 fours and 7 sixes and India scored a total of 726/9 declared.

Virender Sehwag was aided by Rahul Dravid (74), Murali Vijay (87) and MS Dhoni (100*) who kept the scoreboard moving, while Sehwag made batting look so easy. Sehwag’s extraordinary pace left bowlers, including Muttiah Muralitharan, in confusion regarding what to do.

India won by an innings and 24 runs, winning the Test Match and the series. Sehwag took home the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.

2) 309 Runs Against Pakistan (Multan, 2004)

This innings really made Sehwag a legend. On March 28, 2004, during the first Test in Multan, Sehwag became the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket. He smashed 309 runs off 375 balls.

He went after the Pakistani bowlers without any fear, hitting 39 fours and 6 sixes. Sachin Tendulkar’s not out 194 gave stability at the other end. India declared at 675/5 and won the match by an innings and 52 runs.

Virender Sehwag’s triple century wasn’t just about breaking records, it was about his attitude. He showed everyone that India could play with confidence and style, even against their biggest rivals.

1) 319 Runs vs South Africa (Chennai, 2008)

Sehwag’s 319 might be the single best innings of his career, and it still stands out as a total dominance of fearless batting against South Africa at Chennai. On a turning track, Sehwag went aggressive against Styen and Ntini with 42 fours and 5 sixes, and he got his triple century in just 278 balls the fastest by an Indian.

India made 627 runs with the help of Sehwag’s heroics, and the game went into a draw. However, it was his innings that shined as a combination of power, accuracy, and calmness the true embodiment of the Sehwag spirit.

Virender Sehwag’s Top 5 Innings

Virender Sehwag: A Legacy that Surpasses Numbers

Sehwag was not merely a run-scorer, but a pioneer. His audacious style of playing changed the nature of play for India. Be it setting up Tests or chasing enormous ODI totals, Sehwag made cricket seem simple and exciting.

Even a decade after retirement, it will not be forgotten that cricket is in his DNA. For millions of followers of the game, “Viru” will be remembered as the defendant of fearless batting, a man who made boundaries seem commonplace, and triple centuries appear effortless.