Sehwag hits unbeaten 284 in a single day of Test Cricket!

Test cricket does something inexplicable to Virender Sehwag. There’s no visible sign, but it all comes beautifully together with deadly affect.

Even after a decade of international cricket, he has remarkably managed to retain his free-spirit and what he seems to add to his repertoire while playing Test is discretion. Whether the entire process occurs by merely donning the white flannel or he consciously makes the adjustment is something only Viru could explain. Though there are chances even he may not know for batting comes so naturally to him. And it often means playing shots.

With Sehwag in sublime form, the patrons of Brabourne stadium, where Test cricket returned after 36 years, couldn’t have asked for more. Runs came like torrential rain, as Sehwag scored a magnificent 284 not out, which included 40 fours and 7 sixes. This was his sixth double century. At stumps, India scored a record 443 for one. Incidentally, this was India’s second 400-plus runs in a day in as many Tests.

World’s highest wicket-taker, Muttiah Muralitharan has rarely been so decisively dominated by any other batsman, as Sehwag did on day-two. In his five spell of 20 overs, Murali conceded 119 runs and went wicketless. Tried from both ends by captain Kumar Sangakkara, the off-spinner never looked so hapless and ineffective before. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was treated with utter disdain, as Sehwag clobbered him for four towering sixes. He conceded 112 runs from 22 overs for lone wicket of Murli.

Test cricket is changing decisively. It may be played over five days, but it’s fast changing into five days of One-day cricket. Or else how does one explain 366 runs on day-one and 443 runs coming off in 79 overs from India on day-two.



Source: Cricket Nirvana