MUMBAI, India (AP) — Virender Sehwag was on course to become the first man to score three Test triple centuries, hitting an unbeaten 284 on Thursday to put India in command of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka.

At stumps on day two, India were an imperious 443-1, in response to Sri Lanka’s first innings of 393. After just two days, it appeared Sri Lanka’s chances of getting a series-levelling victory were over.

Sehwag made the second-fastest double century in Tests, reaching the mark in just 168 balls, compared to New Zealander Nathan Astle’s 153-ball effort against England in 2001-02.

In all, he hit seven sixes and 40 fours off 239 deliveries, dominating two big partnerships with Murali Vijay (87) and Rahul Dravid (62 not out).

Sehwag and Australia’s Donald Bradman are the only players to have scored two triple-centuries in Tests. Sehwag’s triple-centuries were made against Pakistan at Multan in 2004 and versus South Africa at Chennai in 2008.

Sehwag shared a brisk 221-run opening stand with Vijay, who was the only India batsman dismissed yesterday, lbw to Rangana Herath after picking the wrong delivery to attempt a sweep.

Filling in for Gautam Gambhir, who is missing this Test to attend his sister’s wedding, Vijay hit 10 boundaries.

Sehwag and Dravid then featured in an unbroken 222-run partnership for the second wicket.

With Sehwag punishing the bowlers, Dravid was content to play the supporting role, hitting just five boundaries in his 121-ball knock.

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka, 1st Innings (Overnight 366-8)

T Paranavitana c Dravid b Harbhajan Singh 53

T Dilshan c Vijay b Harbhajan Singh 109

K Sangakkara c Dhoni b Ojha 18

M Jayawardene c Sehwag b Sreesanth 29

T Samaraweera c Vijay b Harbhajan Singh 1

A Mathews run out 99

P Jayawardene c Harbhajan Singh b Ojha 43

N Kulasekara c Dhoni b Khan 12

R Herath c Dravid b Harbhajan Singh 1

M Muralitharan not out 4

C Welegedara lbw b Ojha 8

Extras: (4b, 6lb, 4nb, 2w) 16

TOTAL: (all out) 393.

Overs: 94.4.

Fall of wickets: 1-93, 2-128, 3-187, 4-188, 5-262, 6-329, 7-359, 8-362, 9-379, 10-393.

Bowling: Zaheer Khan 19-2-70-1 (4nb, 1w), Shanthakumaran Sreesanth 16-1-82-1 (1w), Harbhajan Singh 32-3-112-4, Pragyan Ojha 23.4-1-101-3, Yuvraj Singh 4-0-18-0.

India, 1st Innings

Murali Vijay lbw b Herath 87

V Sehwag not out 284

R Dravid not out 62

Extras: (3lb, 7nb) 10

TOTAL: (for 1 wicket) 443.

Overs: 79.

Fall of wicket: 1-221.

Bowling: Chanaka Welegedara 16-2-73-0 (3nb), Nuwan Kulasekara 12-0-84-0, Rangana Herath 22-2-112-1, Muttiah Muralitharan 20-0-119-0 (1nb), Angelo Mathews 6-0-36-0 (3nb), Tillakaratne Dilshan 3-0-16-0.

Toss: Sri Lanka.

Umpires: D Harper and N Llong

TV Umpire: S Tarapore. Match Referee: J Crowe.