Virender Sehwag, who created history by posting the highest ever ODI score, says the short boundaries made it possible
Virender Sehwag, who created history by posting the highest ever ODI score, says the short boundaries made it possibleVirender Sehwag smashed the highest score in one-day cricket yesterday as India flattened the West Indies by 153 runs to take a decisive 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Sehwag hammered a scintillating 219 off 149 balls to lift India to their best one-day total of 418-5, before the West Indies were bowled out for 265 in the fourth international.
Sehwag celebrates after scoring a double century during the fourth
ODI against WI at the Holkar Stadium in Indore yesterday. Pic/AFPDebutant leg-spinner Rahul Sharma picked up three wickets in his first three overs as the tourists were outplayed despite a defiant 96 from wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin. Sehwag surpassed Tendulkar's score when, on 197, he cut Andre Russell to the point fence for his 23rd boundary. The Delhi batsman hit 25 boundaries and seven sixes before he was caught in the deep off Kieron Pollard in the 47th over.
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, had managed just 46 runs in the previous three matches.
Sehwag, who was dropped on 170 by West Indies captain Darren Sammy in the covers, put on 176 for the first wicket with Gautam Gambhir (67) and 140 for the second with Suresh Raina (55). It was the ideal tune-up for Sehwag as he prepared for the four-Test series in Australia starting later this month.
"I was cheering for Sachin when he got his double-hundred and it's great to emulate that," Sehwag said.
"I had never dreamt of doing this," added the 33-year-old. "The easy wicket and the short boundaries made it easier. I told Gauti (Gambhir) that if we showed a little patience we could get a big one. But I never expected to make a double century.
"The pitch was so true that one could play all shots. When Sammy dropped me, I knew God was with me. I am relieved but also tired because I am an old man now. "I just want to thank my family and all those who have supported me in my career," he said.
"The pitch was great and allowed you to play your shots. I think you can get a double-hundred like this when you're experienced. The last time I played 47 overs I got 175, this time I got 200," he added.
