February 19, 2011. India and Bangladesh faced off in Mirpur for the World Cup opener. On that day, Virender Sehwag once again confirmed what we already knew - with the willow in hand, he is a nightmare for the bowlers.
AFP
Sehwag let his intentions be clear when he hit a boundary off the first ball. There was no going back after that. The bat was like a flashing blade and the ball was going under the knife that day. He did not change gears, in fact he just kept on going.
AFP
203 runs were put on for the 3rd wicket along with Virat Kohli (100*). By the time Sehwag departed, India were in a position of strength. 175 runs came from his bat in 140 balls. 14 fours and 5 sixes graced his innings and he displayed a more ruthless side to his batting. Yes we had seen him butcher attacks in the past, but that day the world saw brutality at a whole new level. India were eager to avenge the 2007 World Cup loss and 4 years later, they had finally achieved redemption.
AFP
India amassed 370/4 and won the game by 87 runs. We would go on to win the World Cup while Bangladesh were eliminated in round one. 8 years on, we look back fondly on the knock that was a source of great entertainment. No doubt Bangladesh remember it too, though certainly not fondly.?