Widely regarded as one of the most destructive openers of all time, Virender Sehwag used to put fear in the mind of the bowlers.

While Sehwag was a successful opener across formats, he was particularly impressive in the longest format of the game. He represented India in 104 Tests, amassing 8586 runs at an average of 49.34 with 23 centuries, including two triple tons. His strike rate of 82.83 in Tests is better than some of legendary batter’s scoring rate in the shorter formats.

There were occasions when Sehwag single-handedly took the opposition bowling attacks to the cleaners. One such game took place in 2008 when India toured Sri Lanka.

During the second Test at Galle, Virender Sehwag stayed unbeaten on 201 off 231 balls while opening the innings as only two other batters in the playing XI managed to breach double figures.

Thanks to his knock, India posted 329 in their first innings and went on to win the match by 170 runs.

Speaking with popular YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, Sehwag recalled his dazzling double hundred and said that he could've scored even more if No. 11 batter Ishant Sharma hadn't told him to take a single.

The original question was about negative influences in the dressing room and Sehwag began by saying: “Bad vibes are in the sense that some want to score runs but want others to fail. Growing up, I've always wanted both, the opponent and I, to score runs. Whoever is better will eventually be selected. Why should I get selfish?”

"Let me tell you a story. I was batting on 199. Ishant Sharma was my partner. I knew Ishant couldn't play out Muralitharan and (Ajantha) Mendis. I could've been selfish that time, I could've taken a single to reach my 200 and give Ishant the strike. But I played out five deliveries against Muralitharan and took a single off the last ball,” he added.

“Ishant came to me and said, ‘Bhaiya, I will play. You’re getting scared for no reason'. I said okay, I scored 200, took a single, reached 201 and gave him the strike. Ishant couldn't survive two balls. Then I asked him, ‘So you played them out? Are you done?’

“Here, I was thinking that I can add more runs to the scoreboard and he said he will play them out. It wasn't important for me to score 200. All I wanted was to be at the strike and score as many runs as possible for the team. So, I didn't have that selfishness,” Sehwag continued.

In that Test match, India bowled out Sri Lanka for 291 to take a handy first-innings lead of 37 runs. The visitors then scored 269 in the second innings with Sehwag making another important contribution (50 off 52 balls).

Chasing 307 to win, Sri Lanka’s second innings folded for 136 as India won the match to bounce back in the series.