South Africa 540 India 468-1: Sehwag smashes fastest triple century

The freewheeling Virender Sehwag scored his second Test triple-century – and the fastest recorded – to lead India's reply against South Africa on the third day of the first Test here in Chennai yesterday.

Sehwag bludgeoned an unbeaten 309 to match his previous best made against Pakistan in Multan in 2004. The 29-year-old steered the hosts to 468 for 1 at stumps in reply to South Africa's 540, destroying the South African attack on a good batting track.

"I have no words to describe this," Sehwag said. "This innings is better than the one in Multan. I showed lot of concentration and patience, I had a point to prove to myself [after his Test comeback]. I dedicate this innings to my family, and my late father."

His triple ton came from an astonishing 278 balls, which beat the 362 faced by Australian Matt Hayden when he scored a then world record 380 against Zimbabwe at Perth in 2003. Sehwag matched the feat of Don Bradman and Brian Lara, who have also passed 300 twice.

Scorers began noting balls faced only in the modern era, with some of the triple hundreds, including those scored by Bradman and England's Walter Hammond, only recorded in terms of minutes.