Virender Sehwag smashed a world record 219 to become only the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to reach the 200-run landmark in ODIs as India posted their highest One-day total of 418 for five in the fourth match against the West Indies , in Indore, on Thursday.
Sehwag surpassed Tendulkar's 200 not out made from 147 balls against South Africa in Gwalior on February 24 last year when he square-cut Andre Russell for a boundary in the 44th over of the Indian innings to go past the 200 mark at the Holkar Stadium.
Sehwag joined his idol Tendulkar in the record books as the only other cricketer to score double hundred in the limited overs game.
The 33-year-old Delhi marauder, who is leading the team in the absence of regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also became the highest individual scorer in the 40-year-old history of One-day International.
Sehwag, who cracked his second three-figure knock against the Caribbean islanders and 15th overall in 240th matches, slammed 25 fours and seven sixes during his 147-ball blitz.
He also reached his double hundred in fewer balls (in 140 balls with the help of 23 fours and six sixes) than Tendulkar, who took 147 for his 200 not out.
Sehwag continued to plunder runs against a hapless Windies attack on a perfect batting strip, having opted to bat, as India raised their highest-ever total against the West Indies in ODIs, overtaking their previous best of 341 for three in Vadodara in January 2007.
Sehwag, who was caught in the deep straight field in the 47th over while attempting another huge heave off Kieron Pollard, also added century stands with fellow-opener Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina , who both got individual half-centuries and were both run out.
Sehwag got life twice during his masterly knock -- once on 20 when he escaped a run out chance after being stranded mid-pitch and then on 170 when rival captain Darren Sammy dropped an easy catch at extra cover.
When India commenced their innings, the decision of the Indian team management to tweak the top order paid rich dividends as Sehwag and Gambhir, who replaced Parthiv Patel after the latter had opened in the first three games, ripped apart the Windies bowling attack.
Sehwag, who said after the Ahmedabad tie that the top order needs to fire, led from the front by greeting the first ball he received from Sunil Narine and Darren Sammy for big sixes.
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