Former India opener Virender Sehwag, known for redefining attacking batting in Test cricket, once came agonisingly close to creating history by becoming the first cricketer to score three triple centuries
in the longest format. The swashbuckling right-hander, who already holds the distinction of being the first Indian to score a Test triple hundred and one of the few players in the world to have two such scores, fell just short of a rare milestone after a memorable knock against Sri Lanka in Mumbai.
Sehwag had put himself in a commanding position on the second day of the Test, hammering 284 runs in a single day, the third-highest individual tally scored in one day of a Test match. Batting with complete authority against a Sri Lankan attack led by legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, he seemed set to become the first batter in the world to register three triple centuries.
However, with only a few overs left in the day’s play, his partner Rahul Dravid advised him to slow down and avoid taking risks, suggesting that he could return the next morning and comfortably reach 300, or even go on to score 400 or 500. Sehwag later revealed during a television show that he followed the advice and chose to see off the remaining overs. Dravid even took a single at the end of an over so that Sehwag would face fewer deliveries before stumps. The day ended with both batters unbeaten, and Dravid encouraged him by saying that he could come back fresh the next day and create a world record.
Sehwag said he went back to his room hopeful, ate well and slept peacefully, believing a triple century was within reach. But the next morning, his innings ended sooner than expected. He managed to add only nine more runs and was dismissed for 293 off 254 balls, an innings studded with 40 fours and seven sixes. Muralitharan eventually got him out caught and bowled, denying him a place in history.
Sehwag later admitted he regretted not continuing his natural attacking approach in the final overs of the second day. Despite the disappointment, his innings remained one of the most dominant displays in Test cricket. In the same match, MS Dhoni also scored a century as India declared at a massive 726 for 9 and went on to win the Test by an innings and 24 runs.
Sehwag’s journey in international cricket itself was remarkable. He began his Test career with a century on debut and was not initially an opener, but his fearless batting soon earned him that role. Known for treating the best bowlers with disdain, he often hit boundaries at will and even sang songs while batting. Fast bowling greats like Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee and Dale Steyn frequently found themselves at the receiving end of his aggressive strokeplay, as Sehwag punished even the slightest loose delivery.
He later went on to form a memorable opening pair with Sachin Tendulkar during the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, setting the tone for India’s campaign with a blazing 175 in the tournament’s opening match.
