Virender Sehwag scored 309 against Pakistan at Multan in 2004 and 319 against South Africa at Chennai in 2008 — the only batsman in history to score two Test triple centuries, each innings remarkable for the extraordinary strike rate at which they were scored.
Sehwag's first triple century (309 vs Pakistan, 2004) was particularly extraordinary — he was the first Indian batsman to reach 300 in Tests and the first to score a triple century since Len Hutton in 1938.
At Multan in 2004, Sehwag opened the batting against Pakistan's full attack. By the end of the first day he had 228 — having batted all day. By his 250th ball, he had 250 runs. The possibility of 300 became real.
Sehwag reached 309 the following morning — 309 off 375 balls, strike rate 82, the first Indian 300 in Tests. He was controversially declared out caught but the decision was contested. India declared almost immediately after his dismissal.
Four years later, at Chennai against South Africa, he did it again — 319 off 304 balls (covered in a separate entry). No batsman has ever scored two Test triple centuries. Even Bradman, Lara, Gavaskar, and Tendulkar never scored more than one.
Sehwag's two triple centuries are in different companies statistically — two performances above 300, at 80+ strike rate, in Test cricket.
Sehwag 309 at Multan — first Indian Test triple century
Sehwag 319 vs South Africa — second triple century, unique achievement
No other batsman in history has scored two Test 300s
March 29, 2004
Sehwag 309 vs Pakistan at Multan — first Indian triple century
March 26, 2008
Sehwag 319 vs South Africa at Chennai — second triple century
Sehwag retired in 2013 with 8,586 Test runs at 49.34. He has become a popular commentator and media personality. His unique record of two Test triple centuries remains intact.
Two triple centuries in Test cricket at aggressive strike rates is an achievement unique in the game's history. It confirms that Sehwag's approach — attack regardless of format, occasion, or opposition — produced results that even great batsmen who accumulated centuries over decades could not match.
Sehwag's two triple centuries changed how coaches assessed risk versus reward in Test batting. His approach — that aggression could work at the highest level of cricket — directly influenced the Bazball philosophy and the broader shift toward positive Test batting in the 2020s.
Australia vs West Indies
1960-12-14
The first tied Test in 86 years of cricket history — Australia and West Indies finished level on 737 runs each after five days of breathless cricket in Brisbane, producing one of the most dramatic finishes the game has ever seen.
India vs Australia
1986-09-22
Twenty-six years after Brisbane, cricket produced only its second tied Test — Dean Jones's heroic 210 through crippling heat and Dean Jones's fever, Ravi Shastri's unbeaten 48 and India needing 2 off the last over, only for Maninder Singh to be out lbw off the final ball.
Australia vs South Africa
1999-06-17
Lance Klusener smashed Australia to the brink of elimination, then ran out Allan Donald off the penultimate ball to tie the match — but Australia advanced to the final on superior run rate, ending South Africa's greatest World Cup campaign in devastating fashion.