Fastest Double Century In Test Cricket: The red ball format is a game where the batsmen have the luxury of taking their time and pacing their innings. But some batters play the red ball form of the game, like the limited overs format, the ODIs, and the T20Is.
These batters hit big shots and get their innings ongoing. Today in this segment we shall mention the top three batsmen who have got the fastest double centuries in the red ball form of the game. One each batter from India, New Zealand and England is been mentioned in this list of top three –
1. Nathan Astle –
This batter from New Zealand, Nathan Astle still holds the record of smashing the fastest double century in the red ball form of the game. In 2002 against England, Astle smashed 222 runs from just 153 deliveries at Christchurch. Nathan amassed 28 boundaries and 11 sixes in his innings.
2. Ben Stokes –
The current skipper of England’s Test team, Ben Stokes recorded the second-fastest double century of all time in the red ball format on this day in 2016 against South Africa at Cape Town. Stokesy also scored the most runs in the first session of a day in a Test match and broke an 81-year-old record in that process. He took just 163 balls to score a double ton in that match.
3. Virender Sehwag –
The Indian opener of all three forms of the gentlemen’s game, Virender Sehwag never allowed any bowler to settle because of his aggressive and attacking approach. Sehwag is the only Indian batter to score two triple centuries in the red ball form of the game.
Virender Sehwag is also the only Indian batter who has scored five fastest double centuries in the red ball form of the game. Other than, Sehwag, it is only Mahendra Singh Dhoni who is mentioned in the overall list of the batters who have scored the fastest double century in the red ball format.
List of All The Fastest Double Ton Scored By Virender Sehwag In The Red Ball Form Of The Game –
- 1st fastest double century for Viru came against Sri Lanka at Mumbai in 2009. In this match, Sehwag missed scoring his third triple-century by just seven runs. He amassed a double ton in just 168 balls.
2. In 2006 against Pakistan at Lahore, Virender Sehwag scored a double ton in 182 deliveries, which is his second fastest double century in the red ball format.
3. Sehwag’s third fastest double century came against the Proteas when they toured India in 2008. Viru smashed 200 runs in just 194 runs in that red ball game played in Chennai and he went on to score a triple century in that game against South Africa, which was his second one of his career.
4. The Multan Test match which was played between India Vs Pakistan in 2004 was known for two reasons. The first reason is obviously because of Virender Sehwag and the next reason is because Rahul Dravid declared the Indian innings when Sachin Tendulkar was still batting and unbeaten on 194 runs.
Viru scored a double century in this Test match, which was his fourth fastest one. He slammed 200 runs in just 222 deliveries and also went on to score his first-ever 300 runs in the Test format for India. Since this innings, Sehwag has been known as “Multan Ka Sultan”.
5. Viru’s fifth and the last fastest double century came versus Sri Lanka again. But this time it was at Galle in 2008. Sehwag scored a double hundred in 227 deliveries which was slower by his standards. But he helped India to win that red ball match. He made an huge impact in that innings for India.
Also Read – List Of All Matches Played Betwen Australia vs India At Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
