Although the legendary Sachin Tendulkar was the first player to score an ODI double century, it was former Indian batter Virender Sehwag who began an infamous trend of running a batter out at the non-striker’s end before registering this rare feat. Current Indian captain Rohit Sharma would later keep up with this inadvertent trend on the days he would smash two of his three double tons in the format.
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A naturally aggressive batter, Sehwag, who had registered the double hundred at a faster pace than both Tendulkar and Sharma, had run out fellow opening batter Gautam Gambhir right after reaching his three-figure mark. However, he immediately took a vow and made sure to make up for the share of runs which Gambhir would have possibly scored at the Holkar Stadium that day.
Right before the run out, the southpaw batter was batting at the score of 67 (67), with the pair having already registered a 176-run opening partnership. It was highly likely that even Gambhir would have at least had a century under his name.
The Day He Smashed ODI Double Century, Virender Sehwag Admits To Be Guilty For Gautam Gambhir Run Out
It was the fourth ODI of West Indies’ tour of India 2011 when a Marlon Samuels direct hit from mid-off caught Gambhir short of the crease on the penultimate delivery of the 23rd over. During an interaction with popular YouTuber Vikram Sathaye almost six years ago, Sehwag recollected the guilt he had for running out his long-time opening partner Gambhir that day.
“Ek time aise aaya jab maine maar ke bhagne ki sochi, aur mujhe laga ki main thak gaya hoon toh pahuch nahin paunga, toh wapas aake Gautam ko run out kara diya. Toh dukh to bada hua, ki yaar mera itna achcha dost, itna achcha-bhala 70 [67] pe khel raha tha, uska bhi 100 hota. Magar ye khushi thi, ki main out nahi hua, Gautam out hua hai. Tab mujhe realize hua ki, uske bhi runs mujhe hi banane padenge ab [There was a time when I would try and steal a single, but since I was tired, I realized I would not be able to make my ground. Resultantly, I had run-out Gautam in the process. I felt very bad, such a dear friend, was batting so well at the score of around 70 [67] and could have scored a century as well. But, I was happy that it was he, who was out and not myself! But, I soon realized that I would now have to score his share of runs as well].”
While Sehwag ended up batting across 11 more ODIs post his double ton, he couldn’t register another three-figure score under his name. Gambhir, on the other hand, added a couple of centuries in the format (both against Sri Lanka) before playing his last ODI in 2013.
India’s Winning Margin A Co-Incidence On Days Sachin Tendulkar And Virender Sehwag Hit ODI Double Tons
Coincidence much, Sehwag, who always refers to Tendulkar as God, shares an unforgettable record with the Master Blaster apart from joining him in the ODI double century club.
When Tendulkar had smashed his maiden double ton against South Africa in Gwalior the previous year, India had went on to post a total of 401/3 in their 50 overs. With the Proteas getting dismissed on 248 , the home side had won the match by 153 runs.
When Sehwag had achieved the aforementioned feat in 2011, India had posted 418/5 batting first in Indore. With the visitors getting bundled out for 265, India would yet again register a 153-run victory!
