- Virendra Sehwag (2002-2006) – 389 runs (1 century and 2 half centuries)
India’s yesteryear ‘hard hitting’ batsman, Virendra Sehwag is the fourth position on the list to Indian top scorers in the Champions’ Trophy.
In the four editions that he had featured, Sehwag has played in 10 innings and remained unbeaten on two occasions. At an average of 48.62 and a strike rate of 100.77, he has accumulated 389 runs with 126 runs being his personal best knock.
The 11th match in Pool 2 was played between India and England at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on 22nd September, 2002.
Opting to bat, England managed to put on 269 runs for the loss of 7 seven wickets in their quota of 50 overs, backed by excellent innings by the opener Nick Knight (50, 124m, 70b, 4*3) and Ian Blackwell (82, 91m, 68b, 4*6, 6*3).
For India, Aashish Nehra and Anil Kumble took 2 wickets each.
Chasing a target of 270 runs for a win, the Indian openers, Virendra Sehwag and Saurav Ganguly virtually treated the audience with an ‘run riot’. The duo put on 192 runs for the first wicket in 28.4 overs and virtually took the game away from the opposition.
Virendra Sehwag, known for his batting carnage took on the English bowlers head on and never allowed them to settle down. Staying put at the crease for 136 minutes, facing 104 deliveries, he notched up 126 runs, striking 21 fours and a solitary six in the process.
He was ably supported by Ganguly, who eventually remained unconquered after spending a little over three hours (183 minutes) in the middle. Facing 109 deliveries, Ganguly contributed 117* runs studded with 12 fours and 3 sixes.
India scored 271 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 39.3 overs and won the game by 8 wickets and 63 deliveries to spare.
