Sehwag hits highest-ever ODI score in India's 53-run victory
West Indies were condemned to a 153-run defeat yesterday after Virender Sehwag mauled a world record one-day International score to lead India to a series-clinching victory.
The Windies' bowlers were almost powerless to stop the marauding Indian captain, whose sensational 219 from 149 balls catapulted India to their highest ODI total of 418 for five after they chose to bat on a typically easy-paced pitch in the penultimate match of the series.
Denesh Ramdin hit a career-best 96, but the visitors never mounted a serious challenge and were dismissed for 265 with four balls remaining at the Holkar Cricket Stadium.
The result meant West Indies conceded an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match ODI series to their hosts with the final game to be played on Sunday at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The Windies needed a great start and a big partnership in their chase after Sehwag's pyrotechnics, but couldn't get either.
Ramdin stroked a dozen boundaries in his run-a-ball knock and put on a face-saving 64 for the last wicket with left-handed compatriot Sunil Narine, who made 27.
Opening batsman Lendl Simmons supported with 36 and Marlon Samuels got 33, but they were flashy and soon perished.
There was little substance and far less stability from the rest of the visitors' batting, which again got caught in the web of India's spinners with left-arm tweaker Ravindra Jadeja grabbing three for 34 from ten overs and lanky leggie Rahul Sharma taking three for 43 from ten overs.
Earlier, West Indies were almost helpless as Sehwag surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's undefeated 200 for the highest individual score in an ODI with some sensational hitting.
The Windies bowlers conceded 25 fours and seven sixes as the Indian opener became the second batsman ever to reach a double-hundred in this format of the game, giving him the distinction of being the top scorer in both Tests and ODIs for his country.
Darren Sammy's men were also condemned to become the first West Indies side to concede a total in excess of 400 in an ODI.
The visitors were on the back-foot from early after Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were committed to open the innings, after Parthiv Patel had done duty for the first three matches without any success.
When Marlon Samuels' direct hit from extra cover ran Gambhir out in the 23rd over, India were cruising on 176 for one. The Indian opener made a run-a-ball 67, after he was dropped on 20.
The Windies continued to feel the pressure when Suresh Raina scored 55 and was involved in a 140-run stand with Sehwag before he was also run out, failing to beat Andre Russell's throw from long-on to the 'keeper in the 41st over.
West Indies continued to work hard, but Sehwag continued to dominate, stroking the ball with immaculate timing, reaching his hundred from 69 balls.
Windies skipper Sammy gave Sehwag a reprieve on 171, when he dropped a sitter at extra cover off Ravi Rampaul in the 38th over before the Indian talisman reached the milestone double-hundred from 142 balls with a boundary through point off Russell, sparking celebrations in the packed stadium.
Kieron Pollard finally dismissed Sehwag, when he had him caught at long-on in the 47th over, before Kemar Roach bowled Rohit Sharma as India paved the way for a conclusive victory.
By -CMC-IANS
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