This was no fluke.  India, despite their recent heroics in the one day series in Australia – are one bemusingly average Test team. 

At home, they have lost their aura in the last decade, winning only seven of their last 22 test matches. In the second Test of the current series with South Africa, the Proteas, led by the new No.1 bowler in the world, Dale Steyn, destroyed the Indians, inflicting defeat by the largest margin in South African history. 

It was also the fourth worst defeat inflicted on the Indians in their proud history. The home side's 76 all out in the first innings was the second lowest score on home soil – and the shortest ever Test innings played in the subcontinent in history.

'Sehwag plays in a manner which most Test batsmen would remark borderlines on madness'


This puts into perspective Verinder Sehwag’s achievement in the first Test.

This was a knock that was stunning in its simplicity – as Sehwag had the measure of the bowlers at all times, and played a masterclass of a batting dominance. He didn’t play the percentages or take care in building up the score, century after century. He never looked like getting out, and plundered a strong pace attack. Rahul Dravid, his primary batting partner, former English batsmen Graham Thorpe – commentating at the ground, and Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, remarked they had never seen such a dominant Test innings.

Sehwag, only recently recalled to the Indian test team, plays in a manner which most Test batsmen would remark borderlines on madness. Here is a man never content in being patient. 'Viru' has a poor record against weaker Test teams, not enjoying a lack of a challenge.  Most players would look at a docile pitch and see it as a chance to make a solid hundred – Sehwag licks his lip and thinks of a quickfire double century.

To give a real insight into the man, a former Indian captain remarked that Sehwag was sitting on the balcony watching other Indians bat, and would clutch his head and scream “Chauka gaya, Chauka gaya” (missed out on a four). Viru does not think of singles or rotating the strike. He is a man that only thinks in boundaries.

But, to be realistic, the pitch at Chennai was placid with nearly 1,500 runs scored, and while the Proteas' bowling attack was strong, it did not adjust to what was overwhelmingly a batsman's paradise.

The highest Test score ever played is 400 by Brian Lara against England in 2004.  This was played against a powerful English team but it was played in the legendary West Indians' own back yard.  Likewise Matthew Hayden’s 380, the second highest Test score – cannot be counted as a magnificent knock as it was scored in Australia against Zimbabwe, the weakest team in test cricket.

The greatest cricketer of all time Sir Donald Bradman can lay claim to playing some great Test match innings, his 270 against an immense English side at Melbourne in 1936 was probably his best.  There was also his incredible knock of 299 not out against South Africa culminating the supreme batsman’s second double century and fourth overall of the series in 1932. These knocks are rated by Wisden as two of the greatest innings of all time.

To pay the appropriate homage to the Indian team, I believe two of their greatest test innings were played by VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid.

Dravid’s 233 against Australia in 2004 at Adelaide was one of the most graceful knocks I have ever seen – in hostile territory against one of the strongest Test teams ever seen. This was after India were reeling at 85-4.

But I believe the finest Test innings ever played was Laxman’s 281 at Calcutta in 2001. This was against Steve Waugh’s nearly invincible Australian team who were sitting on a world record 16 consecutive Test victories. 

After following on, a despondent Indian team seemed to be finished – before Laxman came to the crease on a crumbling pitch and face two of history's finest bowlers, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. 

After the Baggy Greens conceded a 335 run partnership – the 281 was scored fast enough to allow for one of the most famous Test victories of all time. 

In short, this was a gem and an honour and privilege to be seen.