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India's Virender Sehwag admitted his sparkling unbeaten double ton on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan was his best innings yet.

The opener dominated the Pakistan attack to finish on 228 not out, hitting 30 fours and five sixes and guiding his side to an imposing 356-2.

It was the highest ever Test score by an Indian against Pakistan and Sehwag's first 200 in his 21st Test.

He said: "It is my best innings in Test cricket."

Sehwag added: "No Indian batsman has ever scored 300 in Tests. Crossing that landmark is my next target."

He bettered his previous best return of 195, which he scored on the opening day of last year's Boxing Day Test against Australia at the MCG.

On that occasion, the 25-year-old perished to a rash shot - a fate he was mindful to avoid in Multan.

FASTEST TEST DOUBLE CENTURIES 153 balls - Nathan Astle (NZ v Eng, Christchurch 2001-02) 211 - Herschelle Gibbs (SA v Pak, Cape Town 2002-03) 212 - Adam Gilchrist (Aus v SA, Johannesburg 2001-02) 220 - Ian Botham (Eng v Ind, The Oval 1982) 222 - Virender Sehwag (Ind v Pak, Multan 2004)

"It was on my mind and that's why I waited for a lose delivery when I reached 199," he added.

Pakistan face an uphill battle to get back into the match, having lost the toss and bowled moderately with a pace-heavy attack on a very flat pitch.

Saqlain Mushtaq was the only spinner selected despite the Multan strip not containing a blade of grass.

"There was nothing for the bowlers in the wicket and I hope we build up a score of around 600 tomorrow and put Pakistan under pressure," Sehwag concluded.