Indore, Dec 8: Virender Sehwag, India’s lionhearted opening batsman, has become the highest run-scorer in ODIs slamming 219 off 149 balls at the at Holkar Cricket Stadium here against the West Indies. The 33-year-old has motored past the only other player to have scored an ODI double-ton, Sachin Tendulkar (200* in Gwalior, 2010).

Returning to the side after surgery and going through a slump of sorts, Sehwag picked an opportune time to get back amongst the runs as India prepare to take on Australia later this month. The Indian captain spoke to Ravi Shastri after his remarkable innings that helped India get past their previous best ODI score of 414 to set West Indies a target of 419.

Excerpts:

On whether he had ever dreamt of playing an innings like this

Never, I was telling myself and Gautam Gambhir [that] if we batted [with a] little patience, then maybe we could score some big runs here because the wicket is good to bat on. The outfield is fantastic and the boundaries are [placed at] almost fifty yards so if we just showed some patience and looked to bat at least 30 overs, then we could score some runs; but I was not expecting this 200. I must thank Mr. Ranbir Singh Choudhary who [texted] me when I got out in the 20s [in the past]. He said [I should] make sure the next time I got a start I converted it into hundred. So thank you very much, sir.

On his phenomenal effort and the batting conditions

It is a true batting wicket [where you] just [have to] spend a little bit of time and carry on with your shots. Wherever I was hitting the ball, it [fell into the] gaps for four and when I decided I wanted to hit a six, I just tried to hit it with a straight bat and [it went] for six. So I think everybody expected me to score a double hundred. I think I lived up to expectations, so thanks to everyone. Thanks to my fans and especially my family and all those who’ve supported me all the time.

On batting with determination

We have to because we have to give good starts. The last match I said at the presentation that our top-order was not contributing and it’s my job and that of the others guys [who are in the top-order] to give the team [a good start] […] The moment you give that kind of start [your team] ends up with 400 runs.

On the point at which he started thinking of the 200-run mark and whether that changed his style of play

Never. I was playing my shots throughout the innings so when I was batting in the batting Powerplay, I thought if I just batted [through it] maybe I would cross that 200-run mark and I did. When [Darren] Sammy dropped my catch, I thought God was with me, telling me – just bat till the 45th – 46th over and you will achieve your 200 [runs].

On his physical state after the long innings

Right now I am very tired because I am an old, 33-year-old man and my back [has gone] tight. Hopefully I can take an ice-bath and get back on the field.