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Sehwag: Not finished yet

It hurt when I was not in the team so I want to get back my place. That made me concentrate harder.

Virender Sehwag
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India's Virender Sehwag admits being dropped for more than a year at the start of 2007 made him work harder for his record-breaking knock of 309 not out in the first Test against South Africa.

The opener took just 278 balls to reach his triple hundred in Chennai, beating England star Willie Hammond's record set in 1932/33 for the fastest Test match 300.

Brian Lara currently holds the record for the highest ever Test match score at 400 not out set against England in 2004, but Sehwag is well placed to challenge the West Indies legend after equalling his highest ever Test match score made against Pakistan in 2004.

India still trail South Africa's first innings total by 72 runs, but Sehwag insists the lows in his career, which saw him left out of the Test side from January 2007 to January 2008, have helped him build towards this momentous day.

Concentration

"I'm very pleased with my innings, especially because we had to focus today because we have to get a total close to the South Africans," Sehwag told Sky Sports 2 at the end of day three.

"You have to take responsibility but also play your shots and I think we did a great job.

"It hurt when I was not in the team so I want to get back my place. That made me concentrate harder.

"The wicket is so good and true, with the ball coming on to the bat so I tried to play my shots."

The 29-year-old became the third cricketer - and the first Indian - to record two triple hundreds after Sir Donald Bradman and Brian Lara, but he is not finished yet.

India closed the day on 468-1 with Sehwag and Rahul Dravid unbeaten in a stand of 255 chasing the Proteas first innings total of 540 and the hosts still have an slim chance of winning the game.