INDORE, India (CMC-IANS) — Virender Sehwag said he was elated at going past compatriot Sachin Tendulkar’s World record highest score in One-day Internationals yesterday.

Sehwag scored 219, surpassing Tendulkar’s 200 not out that he made against South Africa in Gwalior last year.

“I was happy when Tendulkar scored 200 not out,” said Sehwag. “I was sitting in the front and clapping and cheering when he did that. I am extremely happy to emulate Tendulkar and to have broken a record held by a great cricketer like him.”

Riding on Sehwag’s double century, India defeated West Indies by 153 runs to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match ODI series.

He said the pitch at the Holkar Cricket Stadium was a perfect batting pitch.

“It’s a kind of pitch on which you can play defensive shots initially and then play your shots later to score,” he said.

Sehwag’s innings also powered India to their highest ODI total of 418 for five.

“While opening the innings, I told Gautam Gambhir that if we can show some patience on this track, we will be in for a big one as the pitch is a good one,” said Sehwag.

“The outfield is fantastic and the distance of the boundary is only 50 yards.”

Sehwag, who has two triple hundreds in Tests, said he grew confident of reaching a double century when the Batting Power Play started. He was also dropped by West Indies captain Darren Sammy.

“It was only after the Batting Power Play started, I felt that I could reach the double hundred,” he said. “Also when Sammy dropped me, I knew that God was with me.

“I know people expected me to score a double century. When I wanted to hit a six, I just did that.”

Sehwag said he was determined to make up for his poor performances in the first three ODIs against West Indies.

“I have said this earlier also that the top-order needs to contribute,” he said. “It was a pitch where one could score big runs if he stayed around for 30 overs.”

Asked whether he expected to score a double-hundred in ODIs, Sehwag said: “After playing 10 years of international cricket you start thinking that you can do it when experienced.

“I knew I can score 200 if I can bat 50 overs. When I was there for 47-odd overs last time (against Bangladesh at Mirpur earlier this year) I scored 175 and here I was at crease for some 46 overs. I won’t mind coming back here again and score a double hundred.”