Record-breaking Sehwag powers India to 418-5

INDORE, India - Reuters

India’s captain Virender Sehwag makes 219 runs to break the batting world record for a one-day international, surpassing compatriot Sachin Tendulkar’s 200 not out. AP photo

Virender Sehwag registered the highest individual score in 50-over cricket, hitting a blistering 219 to power India to a mammoth 418 for five wickets in the fourth one-day international against West Indies yesterday.

The 33-year-old right-hander blasted seven sixes and 25 fours during his 149-ball stay to light up Indore’s Holkar Cricket Stadium as India posted their highest ever one-day total against a hapless West Indies attack. Sehwag cut Andre Russell for a boundary to overtake Sachin Tendulkar’s 200 not out that was scored against South Africa in a Gwalior ODI on Feb 24, 2010. Leading the side in absence of regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sehwag won the toss and returned to vindicate his decision to bat first on a belter of a track.

He added 176 runs with Gautam Gambhir (67) in 22-odd overs before a mix-up resulted in the exit of his partner.