New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) felicitated former opener Virender Sehwag before the start of the fourth and final cricket Test between India and South Africa at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium here on Thursday.

During the pre-toss ceremony, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur presented Sehwag with a silver plaque commemorating his achievements.

The two ends of the Feroz Shah Kotla were named 319 and 309 in honour of the 37-year-old’s Test triple tons.

India was off to a cautious start with South African fast bowlers Morne Morkel and Kyle Abott keeping a tight line.

Several of Sehwag’s family members were also present on the occasion.

An emotional Sehwag thanked all the India captains he has played for. He also acknowledged his former collegeus, including the likes of Sourav Ganguly Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.

“I would like to thank all my captains, friends and coaches who have helped me to reach where I am. A big thanks to Ganguly, Dravid and Tendulkar for moulding me in my career,” he said.

Sehwag is the first Indian to score a triple ton in Test cricket. He is also one of four cricketers to have scored two triple centuries.

A part of the Indian team which won the 2011 World Cup, Sehwag has played 104 Tests and 251 One Day Internationals (ODIs). He scored 8,586 Test and 8,273 ODI runs in a career which began in 1999.

Sehwag had retired from international cricket on October 20.