By Matthew Allen

Sehwag paid tribute to Tendulkar's calming influence

Virender Sehwag's record-breaking triple century in Multan spoke volumes about his ability, but also revealed a more mature approach to his batting.

Sehwag became the first Indian batsman in 372 Test matches and 72 years of playing to record a triple century with his 309.

This feat eluded the great Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar has yet to manage it.

The dashing Sehwag drew instant comparisons with Tendulkar's stature and style when he scored 105 in his first Test innings in Bloemfontein in 2001.

But he soon found it was more difficult to emulate the remarkable consistency that has seen the "Little Master" plunder 33 Test tons.

Sehwag forged a reputation as a batsman who could blast any attack for a quickfire 50, but could also just as easily undo all the good work with a rash shot.

HIGHEST INDIAN TEST SCORES 309 Virender Sehwag (v Pak, Multan 2004) 281 VVS Laxman (v Aus, Calcutta 2001-02) 241no Sachin Tendulkar (v Aus, Sydney 2003-04) 236no Sunil Gavaskar (v WI, Madras 1984-4) 233 Rahul Dravid (v Aus, Adelaide 2003-4)

Three months ago he blazed 195 on the first day of a Test against Australia in Melbourne, but lost his wicket to a loose stroke and had to look on as India collapsed and lost the match.

But the way he dwelt so long in the 190s in Multan, reigning in his instinct to throw his bat at the ball, hints at a change in his psychology.

"It was on my mind and that's why I waited for a loose delivery when I reached 199. I just wanted to bat right through the day and not play any rash shots. I am happy that it paid dividends," Sehwag said.

"In one-day cricket, you have to try and play a lot of shots in the first 15 overs. In Tests, you can wait for the loose balls, and it's easier to hit boundaries."

A batting average of nearly 46 and five Test centuries going into Multan hardly suggested failure as a batsman, but those who knew the player also knew that he was not realising his full potential.

And old habits, it appears, die hard. Sehwag blazed his way to 68 before gifting a simple chance to Mohammad Sami, which was put down, and played another false shot on 77, offering a more difficult chance that also went begging.

Chopra gave Sehwag a platform from which to dominate

The way in which he knuckled down after those let-offs to post his huge score owed almost as much to his batting partners as to the man himself.

Opening partner Akash Chopra contributed just 42 runs to a first wicket stand of 160, but his solidity gave Sehwag the solid foundation he needed to play his shots with confidence.

And Sehwag paid tribute to the normally dominant Tendulkar, who chipped in with 130 during their 336-run partnership.

"Whenever I played a loose shot, he used to come to me and tell me to stay until the end. He said I could play my shots with the balls that needed to be hit," Sehwag said.

Who would have thought that he would do that...hats off to him From Atul Have your say on TMS

Sehwag is an aggressive batsman who will always go for his shots, and will ultimately offer more chances than the likes of Rahul Dravid.

But the way in which he controls his innings in the future could make the difference between him being extremely good and great.