SEHWAG PROFILE

Full Name: Virender Sehwag
Born: October 20, 1978, Delhi
Major teams: India, Delhi, ICC World XI, Leicestershire,
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Right-arm offbreak

Achievements:First ever Indian to score 300 runs in a Test innings; highest individual score by an Indian in Tests (309); highest-ever Test score at over a run-a-ball (254 off 247 balls against Pakistan); involved in the highest opening partnership for a Test played away from India (410 with Dravid)

Virender Sehwag, whose physical attributes resemble that of his idol Sachin Tendulkar, has been able to emulate the little master in decimating attacks from all around the world. But more than his repertoire of strokes, it's Sehwag's audacious approach to batting that puts him in a league of his own.

When Sehwag made his ODI debut against Pakistan in 1998-99, the cricket world was already abuzz with talk of his batting style bearing a striking resemblance to that of Tendulkar. Sehwag quickly made his mark with his swashbuckling style and a dazzling array of shots.

Initially stereotyped as a One Day player who lacks the technical prowess for a Test outing, Sehwag proved his detractors wrong by scoring a breathtaking ton on his Test debut against South Africa. Sehwag confirmed his growing stature as a Test batsman, when, opening the innings in Tests on the tour of England in 2002, he made two scintillating knocks of 80 and 100 in his first two matches.

Since then, Sehwag's pyrotechnics at the top of the order has put fear in the minds of opposition bowlers and has given India an edge over their rivals. The watermark of his illustrious career has been the magnificent 309 against Pakistan in 2004. It was the highest score by an Indian batsman in a Test match, not to mention the fastest 200 by an Indian batsman in Tests and the second-fastest 300 in Test match history in terms of balls faced.