Sehwag becomes India's sixth batsmen to cross 7000 mark

Virender Sehwag on Wednesday became the sixth Indian batsman to score 7000 Test runs during his unbeaten knock of 97 on the second day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka.

Sehwag reached the milestone during the final session when he scored a single off Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga to mid-off area to bring up his 70 at the P Sara Oval.

The dashing Indian opener is the 38th batsman overall to have scored 7000 runs.

31-year-old Sehwag, who made his debut against South Africa at Bloemfontein in 2001, was playing in his 79th Test.

Sunil Gavaskar was the first Indian to complete 7000 runs in Test cricket years ago, while the other Indians in the list are Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly.

Sehwag remained unbeaten on 97 at the end of second day's play. During his 87-ball stay at the crease, Sehwag cracked 17 fours.