On a glorious and historic day, December 8, 2011, at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, Virender Sehwag, leading the Indian side, unleashed a devastating masterclass against the West Indies.
The Context behind Sehwag’s ODI Double Century
Stepping up as stand-in captain, the ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ didn’t just score a century; he shattered the ultimate barrier in One-Day International (ODI) cricket, becoming only the second man, and the first captain, to register a double century.
The innings of 219 runs was the defining moment of the 4th ODI, securing an unassailable 3-1 series lead for India and cementing the right-hander’s reputation as one of the most destructive openers the game has ever seen. His brutal acceleration from 150 (off 112 balls) to 200 (off 140 balls) was a relentless assault that left the West Indies bowlers demoralised and the record books rewritten.
| Detail | Description |
| Match | 4th ODI of the 5-match Series |
| Opponent | West Indies |
| Venue | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore |
| Date | December 8, 2011 |
| Significance | Series-clinching victory for India (3-1 lead) |
Statistical Summary Table
| Statistic | Details |
| Score | 219 |
| Balls Faced | 149 |
| Strike Rate | 146.97 |
| Fours | 25 |
| Sixes | 7 |
| Total Boundaries (Runs) | 142 (64.84% of Total Runs) |
| Result | India won by 153 runs |
Pacing/Detailed Data
Sehwag’s innings was a demonstration of controlled aggression, maintaining a high strike rate throughout, and peaking in the middle overs:
- First 50 Runs: 41 balls
- 100 Runs (from 50): 28 balls (Total: 69 balls for the century)
- 150 Runs (from 100): 43 balls (Total: 112 balls for 150)
- 200 Runs (from 150): 28 balls (Total: 140 balls for the double century)
The second half of his innings saw him unleash an unprecedented barrage, scoring his last 119 runs off just 80 balls.
Records Broken and Created 🏆
The Virender Sehwag 219 was more than just a massive score; it marked a paradigm shift in One-Day International batting, establishing several new ODI records:
- Highest Individual Score in ODI History (World Record Then): Sehwag’s 219 surpassed the previous World Record of 200* set by Sachin Tendulkar in 2010.
- Current Context: This World Record was later broken by Rohit Sharma’s monumental 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014, making Sehwag’s score the third-highest men’s ODI score as of now. Here’s a list of all ODI 200s.
- First Captain to Score an ODI Double Century (Individual Record): Sehwag achieved the historic feat while leading the Indian team, a unique distinction at the time. This is still the record for highest ODI score as a captain.
- Highest Score by an Indian Captain in ODIs (Individual/Captaincy Record): His 219 eclipsed Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record of 186* against New Zealand in 1999.
- Most Fours in an ODI Innings (Individual Record): Sehwag hammered 25 fours, equalling the existing record for the most boundaries (fours and sixes combined) hit in an ODI innings.
- Highest ODI Team Total for India (Team Record): Propelled by Sehwag’s brilliance, India posted a total of 418/5, which became the highest total ever achieved by the Indian cricket team in ODI cricket, surpassing their previous best of 414/7 against Sri Lanka in 2009.
- Current Context: India’s highest total has since been broken (418/5 is now the 5th highest team total for India).
- Highest Score at Holkar Cricket Stadium (Venue Record): The 219 remains the highest individual ODI score scored at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
- Virender Sehwag’s last ODI Century: This is also the last time the Indian opener went past the 100-mark in 50-over cricket. Here is the list of all Sehwag centuries in ODI.
Lasting Legacy: “The Sultan of Multan” Becomes the “King of ODI Destruction”
The Virender Sehwag 219 innings is not merely a statistical anomaly; it is a profound embodiment of his fearless approach to batting. Already known as the ‘Sultan of Multan’ for his Test triple century, this ODI masterclass further cemented his image as the ultimate aggregator of boundaries and a man for historic milestones.
The performance defined Sehwag as a player who could take the game away from the opposition in a single session, operating with a mindset that was untethered by convention. This incredible knock confirmed that ODI double centuries were not a once-in-a-generation event but a reachable landmark for those with his unique brand of unfettered, historic cricket destruction.
