Virender Sehwag exploded with the second fastest double century to put India in control of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
The opener plundered an unbeaten 284 on the second day and is 16 runs short of becoming the first player to hit three triple Test centuries. At the close, the hosts were 443 for one, their highest score in a day.
Sehwag shared in double-century partnerships with Murali Vijay (87) and Rahul Dravid (62 not out) to help India overtake Sri Lanka's first-innings score of 393.
Sehwag tore into the bowling on a Brabourne Stadium pitch that offered bounce as he lashed 40 fours and seven sixes in a spectacular innings for his sixth score of 200 or more. It was his 17th Test century.
He reached his double hundred in 168 deliveries and became only the eighth batsman to score six or more double hundreds.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had lost their remaining two wickets for the addition of 27 runs in the first session with Angelo Matthews missing out on scoring his maiden Test hundred by one run.
India hold a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after they won the second Test at Kanpur by an innings and 144 runs. The first Test at Ahmedabad ended in a draw.
A 2-0 win in the series will propel India to the top of the Test rankings for the first time.
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