Mt Viru's epic eruption

It was nothing short of a volcanic eruption. When Mt. Virender Sehwag erupts, it's usually a magnificent sight. At Indore, it was truly spectacular. Naturally, a world record ‘219’ was waiting to happen. And it did. The West Indies were left devastated.

Grace is an intrinsic element of sport and the West Indies players showed it in ample measure. Captain Darren Sammy and his boys came rushing and congratulated Viru after his phenomenal innings came to an end. Later, the rest of the world followed.

In his signature style, Viru started with a boundary — a wristy drive to the mid-wicket fence off Ravi Rampaul. A little later, he followed it with a six over slips — a trademark upper-cut that left the bowler, Kemar Roach, bemused. Failure in the last three ODIs (20, 26 & 0) suggested yet another short story, but as the ball kept flying to all parts of the Holkar stadium it metastasized into a magnum opus. Last year, the master, Sachin, had showed the way with an unbeaten 200 against the Proteas; the protégé (metaphorically) emulated in true spirit. And then surpassed.

In 40 years of the ODI history, only two batsmen have reached the 200-mark; incredibly both are Indian. Equally incredibly, both the innings have come in the state of Madhya Pradesh; Sachin scored in Gwalior (24^th Feb. ’10), Viru in Indore (8^th Dec. ’11).

Spontaneity is Sehwag’s hallmark. True to his nature, he decided just five minutes before the toss that he’d bat if he wins. And he won. Destiny was clearly on his side. So was his trusted partner, Gautam Gambhir. What followed was a period of free-spirited and fearless batting. The way the Delhi duo dominated the bowling attack, only a run-out seemed a possible mode of dismissal to end the partnership. It did on 176 when Gambhir was found short of the crease after a run-a-ball 67.

Ravi Rampaul and Sunil Narine, who had tormented Team India in the last ODI, were marked out for a special treatment. Viru welcomed Rampaul with an elegant four and Narine with a smoking six. Sammy, who has troubled the opener in this tour, met a similar fate. The West Indian skipper never quite recovered. Later, he dropped a sitter at cover when Viru was on 170.

The signs were obvious — the cricketing gods were in a mood for something extraordinary. Sehwag obliged. As always, Viru’s batting was like a force of nature — simple yet violent. Thankfully, it’s a form of violence that’s legitimate, bloodless and beautiful. Mostly, it was the full face of the bat that met the leather with devastating effect. Even when the angled blade met the ball, it still traveled with the speed of light. Twenty five boundaries and seven sixes, which led to a record 418 for 5, were mere statistics. The innings was historic.