Virender Sehwag recorded the highest individual score by an Indian in Test cricket with 319 runs against South Africa at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This innings, achieved in 2008, remains the fastest triple century in international cricket history, reached off only 278 balls, establishing his reputation for high-impact, aggressive batting throughout his professional career.
Early Development and Domestic Foundation
Born in 1978 in Delhi, Sehwag was raised in the Najafgarh locality. His initial interest in the sport began with a toy bat provided at seven months old. He attended Arora Vidya School and later Jamia Millia Islamia. His domestic career began in the 1997–98 season for the Delhi cricket team. By the 1998–99 season, he joined the North Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy, where he demonstrated rapid scoring capabilities, including a 274-run performance against South Zone at Agartala.
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Sehwag made his One Day International debut in 1999 and joined the Indian Test side in 2001. He was a member of the winning squads for the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup. In April 2009, he became the first Indian to be named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World, a title he retained the following year. He retired from international competition on 20 October 2015 and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2023.
Records and Statistical Achievement
Sehwag maintains the highest career strike rate in Test matches among batsmen with at least 3,000 runs, standing at 82.23. His aggressive style included the fastest 250 by any batsman, reached in 207 balls against Sri Lanka in 2009. In December 2011, he became the second batsman to hit an ODI double century, scoring 219 off 149 balls against the West Indies.
Leadership and Post-Playing Career
He served as the vice-captain of the national team under Rahul Dravid starting in 2005. At the club level, he led the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League and captained the Delhi Ranji team. Since retiring, he has served as a member of the Anti Doping Appeal Panel of the National Anti Doping Agency under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Fast facts
- Born: 1978, Delhi
- Test Strike Rate: 82.23
- Awards: Padma Shri (2010), Arjuna Award
- Highest Test Score: 319
- International Retirement: 20 October 2015
- ICC Hall of Fame Induction: 2023
Questions readers ask
What is Sehwag's highest individual ODI score?
He scored 219 runs off 149 balls against the West Indies on 8 December 2011.
Did Sehwag win any world titles?
Yes, he was part of the teams that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
