Sehwag hits fastest triple ton, India 468 for 1

Chennai, March 28 (UNI) A breathtaking 309 by opener Virender Sehwag and his unfinished 255-run second wicket partnership with Rahul Dravid (65) had put India in the driver's seat as the hosts decimated the South African bowling to be 468 for one at stumps on the third day of the first Test at the M A Chidambaram stadium here today.

Sehwag's triple century was also the fastest and ahead of Australian Mathew Hayden's triple ton against Zimbabwe in 2003=04, off 362 balls.

India are still 72 runs behind with nine wickets in hand.

Earlier, South Africa in their first essay had made 540.

Sehwag, who smashed five sixes and 42 boundaries, batted brilliantly to reach another milestone and became the third batsman in Test history to notch up 300-plus score twice when he flicked fast bowler Makhaya Ntini to fine leg.

The Aussie legend, late Donald Bradman's 334 and 330 against England and former West Indies captain Brian Lara's 400 not out in 2003-04 and 375 in 1993-94 both against England, were the other two to register this land mark.

Sensing the great show from Sehwag, the stands were nearly full as fans waving IPL Chennai Super Kings placards and the tri-colour enjoyed every bit of Sehwag's pyto-techniques with the bat, while Proteas' captain Graeme Smith watched helplessly, as none of his pace spearheads, Nitini and Dale Steyn, could extract anything from the pitch to dislodge Sehwag and Dravid after dismissing Jaffer.

Sehwag, who was batting on 218, passed a few milestones as India went for tea at 309 for one, with Dravid as partner, after Jaffer fell in the post-lunch session.

The dashing opener became the highest scorer for India in an innings at the M A Chidambaram stadium by overhauling the former captain Sunil Gavaskar's 236, when he square-cut a Jaques Kallis' delivery in the 77th over.

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