By Anand Philar, IANS
Chennai : Describing his innings of 309 not out against South Africa as his “best ever”, Virender Sehwag said he was determined to “prove a point” after being dropped from two of the four Tests in Australia recently and also against Pakistan last year.
“I was really hurt when I was dropped from the team and I wanted to prove a point that I belonged. In terms of quality, I rate today’s knock higher than the 309 I scored in Multan where the conditions were far better,” Sehwag said after India rode on his belligerent knock to reach 468 for one at stumps on day three here Friday.
“Perhaps, it was good that I was dropped, for I have come back more motivated to prove that I am a better Test player,” he added.
Sehwag said he was not even thinking of Brian Lara’s World record of 401 at the moment, but might attempt to break it if he bats till lunch Saturday.
“Right now, I just want to rest and not think of Lara’s record. Maybe tomorrow, if I am still batting at lunch, I might have a crack at it,” he said.
“I am really honoured to be in the company of Sir Don Bradman and Brian Lara as the only other batsman to score two triple centuries in Tests,” he added.
On his overall approach, Sehwag disclosed that he took it session by session since the conditions were extremely trying.
“I decided to take one session at a time as the conditions were very tough out there. I consumed a lot of coconut water and salts to keep myself hydrated. I thought our physio and my team-mates Piyush Chawla and Irfan Pathan did a great job in looking after me,” he said.
Sehwag said a lead of about 200 runs would give India a chance to force victory and that would be the team’s target tomorrow.
Sehwag dedicated the triple hundred to his family, especially his late father. “He (father) always dreamt of me playing for India and I would like to dedicate this innings to him and also my wife (Arti) and son. My wife has been a source of motivation to me,” he said.