'Unfortunately' I missed breaking Brian Lara's 400-run record: Virender Sehwag

New Delhi, Dec 3: Former India opener Virender Sehwag today said he wanted to break Brian Lara's record of 400 runs but "unfortunately missed" after coming close in 2008.

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West Indies' batting legend Lara holds the record for the highest Test individual score of 400. Sehwag hit 2 triple centuries during his career but failed to go past Lara on both occasions.

In 2004, Sehwag became the first Indian batsman to score a triple century in Test cricket. He smashed 309 against Pakistan in Multan. Later in 2008, he recorded India's highest ever score in Tests - 319, against South Africa in Chennai. (Watch the full Sehwag interview)

On Thursday (December 3), Sehwag was honoured by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He had retired from international cricket in October this year. BCCI felicitated Sehwag on his home ground - Feroz Shah Kotla, before the start of the 4th Test between India and South Africa.

After receiving the honour, Sehwag spoke to "Star Sports" where he reflected on his international career. The 37-year-old conceded that he had luck on his side to hit 3 triples.

"You need luck to score triple hundreds. When I scored 309 in Pakistan, they dropped my catches. Even when I scored 319, my catches were dropped," the "Nawab of Najafgarh" said.

When asked whether he thought of breaking Lara's record of 400, he said, "I was 309 not out (at the end of day's play) against South Africa. I wanted to break Lara's record. Unfortunately I missed (the next day, getting out for 319)."

Sehwag, who played 104 Tests, 251 ODIs and 19 T20Is, holds the record for India's top 3 individual Test scores - 319, 309 and 293 (against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, 2009). On this feat, Sehwag said he was "feeling proud".

"When they talk of Test cricket, they mention Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar first. But you you talk about India's 3 highest individual scores they mention Virender Sehwag. I am feeling proud (for this)," he said.

OneIndia News