MADRAS, 16 October 2004 — Virender Sehwag hit 155 to upstage Shane Warne’s world bowling record as India squeezed out a first innings lead in the second Test against Australia here yesterday.
Sehwag’s seventh century in 25 Tests helped the hosts close the second day’s play on 291-6 in reply to Australia’s modest first innings score of 235.
India, cruising at 178-2 in the post-lunch session, lost four middle-order wickets for 55 runs as the world champions fought back in stifling hot conditions at the Chepauk here.
Mohammad Kaif and wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel ensured India the lead with an unbroken stand of 58 for the seventh wicket. Kaif, playing his first Test since 2001 despite being a regular member of the One-Day side, defied the second new ball to remain unbeaten on 34. Patel, dropped by Warne in the slips, was on a gritty 27.
India go into the third day with a lead of 56 runs and four wickets in hand on a dual-paced track expected to crumble later in the match.
Warne, who had drawn level with Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan’s world record of 532 wickets on Thursday evening by removing makeshift opener Yuvraj Singh, went ahead 30 minutes before lunch.
The leg-spinner struck in his seventh over of the morning, forcing nightwatchman Irfan Pathan to edge a catch to Matthew Hayden in the slips.
“I was just happy to get that wicket because the Indians were batting so well,” said the 35-year-old, who received a rousing ovation from some 37,000 fans at the Chepauk.
“When I started in 1991, I did not think I will get so far. I am in my 114th Test and missed about 30 through injury and other things, so it could have been a lot more. But I am honored to finally have the record.”
Warne ended the day with the key wicket of Sehwag, who holed out to mid-wicket in search of his 22nd boundary after a stirring six-hour vigil at the crease.
The leg-spinner finished with 3-95 from 29 overs while Jason Gillespie chipped in with two wickets and Michael Kasprowicz took one.
The Australians, clearly affected by the heat, were unusually sloppy in the field and spilled six chances, two of them by wicketkeeper and captain Adam Gilchrist. The Indians earned four lucky runs when Pathan patted a ball to covers, but Justin Langer’s wild throw over Gilchrist’s head sped to the fine-leg fence. Sehwag, who hit India’s first triple-century on the tour of Pakistan earlier this year, returned to form. The Delhi opener put on 55 for the second wicket with Pathan and 95 for the third with vice-captain Rahul Dravid, who made 26.
“I am relieved the runs have finally come,” said Sehwag.
