CHENNAI, India – Virender Sehwag slammed his second triple century in Tests yesterday as India made the most of an extremely batsman-friendly pitch in the first Test against South Africa.

Sehwag's unbeaten 309 equalled his own highest score for an Indian batsman in Tests, and spurred India to 468-1 in their first innings at stumps on day three.

The aggressive India opener became only the third batsman to score two triple centuries in Tests, joining Australia's Sir Donald Bradman and West Indian Brian Lara.

India's score came in reply to South Africa's first innings of 540, meaning more than 1 000 runs had been scored in the Test for the loss of just 11 wickets.

Continuing the form of his unbeaten 151 against Australia in India's previous Test, Sehwag struck 42 fours and five sixes off 292 deliveries during his eight-and-a-half hour innings.

Sehwag's reached 300 in 278 balls, making it the fastest ever triple century in the recorded-balls era, surpassing Australia opener Matthew Hayden, who took 362 balls to reach the mark against Zimbabawe in 2003-04.

Sehwag's other triple century, the only previous one by an Indian batsman, was 309 against Pakistan at Multan in 2004.

Bradman's two triple hundreds were at Leeds in 1930 and 1934, while Lara's 375 and 400 not out came at St John's, Antigua. England were the opponent on all four occasions.

Sehwag featured in two double-hundred partnerships, adding 213 for the opening wicket with Wasim Jaffer (73) and 255 for the unbroken second wicket with Rahul Dravid (65 not out).

Dravid needs 15 more runs to become only the sixth batsman to amass 10 000 Test runs. The others who have done so are Lara, India's Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar, and Australia's Allan Border and Steve Waugh.

Flaying the South Africa attack on a placid track, Sehwag raced to 200 off 194 deliveries – a pace only bettered by New Zealander Nathan Astle's 153-ball double ton against England in 2001-02, and Sehwag's 200 from 182 deliveries against Pakistan in 2006.

Jaffer fell shortly after lunch when he edged left-arm spinner Paul Harris (1-141) to Jacques Kallis at slip. This was the biggest opening partnership by the pair, surpassing their 159-run stand against the West Indies two years ago.

Jaffer discovered some form after struggling in the recent series in Australia. His 166-ball knock contained six boundaries and a six.

Dravid's watchful 181-ball knock contained eight fours. (AP)