OTD | Virender Sehwag created history and became first Indian to hit triple-century in Test cricket against Pakistan 2004

Looking 20 years back from now, in the year 2004, this day happened to be one of the historic days in Indian cricket. It was the day when India got their first triple centurion in the first Test out of the three-match series at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan. The then Indian skipper Rahul Dravid had won the toss and decided to bat first.

Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag came to open the innings for India against the Pakistan bowling attack consisting of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammed Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Abdul Razzaq, and Imran Farhat. 

The Pakistan attack looked completely clueless against India’s opening duo as Chopra and Sehwag stitched an amazing partnership of 160 runs for the first wicket. Later, Sehwag went on to hit Pakistan bowlers in all the corners of the Multan Cricket Stadium. 

He scored 309 runs off 375 balls, with 39 fours and 6 sixes. On top of that, Sehwag’s triple century was followed by Sachin Tendulkar’s 194-run knock, India posted a big total of 675 runs for the loss of 5 wickets before skipper Rahul Dravid declared the innings. 

‘Sehwag Carnage’ didn’t give Pakistan a chance to comeback in Multan Test

In response to India’s mammoth total, the hosts Pakistan were bundled out at the score of 407 runs in their first innings. They were forced to play the follow-on by the visitors. Pakistan couldn’t cross the mark even in the second innings as they bundled out just at the score of 216 runs in 77 overs, with Mohammed Yusuf being the leading run-scorer with the 112-run knock. 

Eventually, the star India opener Virender Sehwag won the ‘Player of the Match award for his sensational triple century against Inzamam-ul-Haq’s home team. India won this match by an innings and 52 runs to take a lead of 1-0 in the series.

Notably, this match is also remembered in the history books for the ‘controversial declaration’ decision of Indian skipper Rahul Dravid when Sachin Tendulkar was playing on the individual score of 194 runs, just 6 runs away from his double century.