Superb Sehwag hits double hundred

Third Test, Mumbai, day two (close):
Sri Lanka 393 v India 443-1
Match scorecard

By Oliver Brett

Sehwag now has five of the fastest double tons in Test history

Virender Sehwag's astonishing unbeaten 284 took India to 443-1 in reply to Sri Lanka's 393 after just two days of the final Test at the Brabourne Stadium.

Sehwag scored his runs off 239 balls. It was the second fastest double ton in Test history, and the fastest 250.

Only Sri Lanka's slow over-rate stopped him having a stab at Don Bradman's record haul in a day's play, 309.

But he remains on course to be the first man ever to hit three triple centuries in Test cricket.

By scoring 16 more runs on Friday, he would go ahead of Bradman and West Indian Brian Lara (who each have two) - and almost certainly break his own record for the fewest balls faced to register a Test triple century.

Although the day began with Sri Lanka on 366-8, India - from 79 overs - recorded their best ever score from a single day's play, and that was all down to the remarkable batting of the Delhi-born 31-year-old. Sehwag now has five of the fastest nine double hundreds in Test history, and has scored six in total.

With Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara tending to post fielders in his scoring areas on the leg-side, he showed some remarkably inventive hitting through the off-side.

Reverse-sweeps and paddles were picked off with ease, as were a succession of delightful late cuts and drives lofted over extra cover as he backed away to the leg-side.

There were 40 boundaries and seven sixes, including some no-nonsense smacks straight down the ground and over midwicket - though he never really forced the ball, using exquisite timing and balance to keep the fielders scurrying about in vain.

He was dropped just once, by Mahela Jayawardene at slip off Tillakaratne Dilshan, by which time he had already amassed 273.

He had two partners in crime. Murali Vijay was given a rare Test appearance with Gautam Gambhir away at his sister's wedding and responded with a contribution of 87 in a 221-run opening stand before falling lbw on the sweep to Rangana Herath.

Rahul Dravid, far too good a batsman not to cash in against a demoralised bowling attack on a flat wicket, added a further 186 with Sehwag, and was 62 not out at stumps.

With three whole days of the match to come, and Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Dhoni yet to bat, India are on course for a truly eye-watering first innings score.

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