Virender Sehwag elated at breaking 'idol' Sachin Tendulkar's record

Swashbuckling Indian batsman Virender Sehwag says the opportunity to score an ODI double hundred comes once in a lifetime and he never expected to get the epic knock, during the course of which he also broke his role model Sachin Tendulkar's record.

Sehwag smashed 219 off just 149 balls in the fourth one-dayer against the West Indies yestyerday overtaking Tendulkar's unbeaten 200 last year to become the highest individual scorer in an ODI.

"I am happy to have broken my role model Sachin Tendulkar's record. It won't be easy for people to score double hundreds. Over the last so many years only two have done it. This opportunity will come only once in a lifetime and I am happy I have taken it," Sehwag told the mediapersons at the post-match press conference.

"I never expected to score a double hundred. While opening the innings, I told Gautam Gambhir that if we can show some patience on this track, we will be in for a big one as the wicket is a good one. The outfield is fantastic and the distance of the boundary is only 50 yards," Sehwag he added.

The dashing opener said once the batting powerplay started, the thought of reaching double hundred crossed his mind.

"It was only after the batting powerplay started, I felt that I could reach double hundred. Also when Sammy dropped me (at 170), I knew that God was with me," Sehwag stated.

He thanked his family and thousands of fans who had always had the expectation that he can score a double hundred in ODIs.

"I want to thank my family and fans. I know people expected me to score a double century. Today when I wanted to hit a six, I just did that."

Courtesy : Economictimes