Sehwag’s Successive Century Stands

On the second and third day of the Mohali Test, Virender Sehwag was involved in three century partnerships during his epic innings of 173 runs - 113 runs for the first wicket (with G Gambhir), 103 runs for the second wicket (with R Dravid) and 118 runs for the third wicket (with SR Tendulkar). It thus provided only the 25th instance when a single batsman was involved in three or more 100 partnerships during the same Test innings. Sehwag also became only the third Indian to perform such feat. Vinod Kambli and Rahul Dravid are the other two Indians to do so. However, it was the first time that century partnerships were made for first three wickets in the same innings for India. Had Sehwag put on another century stand for the fourth wicket he would have become only the second batsman in Test cricket history to participate in four century partnerships in the same innings. This distinction is held by Hanif Mohammad, who featured in four century stands in Pakistan's second innings of Bridgetown Test in 1957-58. For reader’s interest the accompanying table has the complete details.

Three century partnerships by Indians
in the same Test innings
Player    Partner     Stand Wkts Vs   Venue   Season
VG Kambli NS Sidhu      107 2nd  Zim  Delhi   1992-93
          SR Tendulkar  137 3rd
          M Azharuddin  107 4th
R Dravid  PA Patel      129 2nd  Pak  R’pindi 2003-04
          VVS Laxman    131 4th
          SC Ganguly    131 5th
V Sehwag  G Gambhir     113 1st  Pak  Mohali  2004-05
          R Dravid      103 2nd
          SR Tendulkar  118 3rd