But more than that, it was retribution for a cricketer who — having touched the stars — was in danger of finding himself in the dumps forever. Calls for Sehwag’s head had become louder over the last year, and not without reason. He did not get benched between the 2004 tour of Pakistan and the next trip there in 2006, but the lack of runs, especially in one-dayers, was taking its toll. After 2006, things became worse. Until a 151 in Adelaide this January, he had just one century and three half centuries to show in 27 outings, and captain MS Dhoni then made him sit out for most of the one-day tournament in Australia.

As Sehwag raised his arms to acknowledge the cheers at Chepauk on Friday, his career had come 360 degrees (or should we say 309). It was apt that he ended the day on the same score he had made in Multan exactly four years ago. “When I was dropped from the Test squad, I was hurt because I have a good record. I was looking to prove to myself that I’m a good Test player and deserve a place in the team,” he said on Friday.

South Africa’s coach Mickey Arthur, who addressed the media on Friday, said it was the best innings he had ever watched. “Even in my wildest of dreams I didn’t think someone would score so quickly,” Arthur said. South Africa used all possible tactics, including some negative bowling from left-arm spinner Paul Harris, but the belligerent Sehwag did not let anything slow him down. He reverse-swept Harris until he was forced to go back to a more traditional line, and then took him apart again. “I was trying not to let him settle down. Had I looked to pad the negative line all day, I may not have scored 300,” he said.

... contd.