Kumar Sangakkara, Hashim Amla are not legends? AB de Villiers destroys Wiaan Mulder’s ‘Legends’ excuse
Published - 06 Sep 2025, 05:46 PM | Updated - 06 Sep 2025, 05:49 PM
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Legendary South African batter AB de Villiers has blasted Wiaan Mulder for walking away from a golden chance to break West Indies great Brian Lara’s world record in Test cricket during the second Test against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo in July 2025.
Wiaan Mulder, who was captaining South Africa in the absence of Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj, was cruising at an unbeaten 367 from just 334 balls. The Proteas all-rounder had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to break Brian Lara’s iconic 400-run record in Test cricket.
AB de Villiers furious over Wiaan Mulder's shock call
But Mulder stunned the entire cricket world by declaring South Africa’s innings. Instead of going for history, the South African star decided to bowl at Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, just 34 runs short of Lara’s world record. His move left one and all shocked, and social media was flooded with outrage.
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Later, Wiaan explained that he wanted Lara’s record to remain with the West Indian legend, who had achieved the feat against England in 2004.
Mulder had told Shaun Pollock at the end of the day’s play, “I thought we got enough from the new ball, and secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. He got 400 against England—for someone of that stature, to keep that record is pretty special.”
He added, “I think if I get the chance again, I will probably do the same thing. Speaking to Shuks (Shukri Conrad), he kind of said to me, ‘Alright, listen, let the legends keep the really big scores’.”
AB de Villiers slams Wiaan Mulder for going against breaking Brian Lara’s world record
However, AB de Villiers was not impressed with Mulder’s call. The former South African skipper pointed out that Mulder had already surpassed legends like Kumar Sangakkara, Hashim Amla, and many others on his way to 367.
If Mulder truly believed in protecting “legends’ records,” then what about those names he overtook? The legendary batter made it clear that the records are meant to be broken, and history doesn’t care who the opponent is.
AB de Villiers said on the Beard Before Wicket Podcast, “I think he should have (broken Lara’s record). I mean, I didn’t quite agree with the comments afterwards where he was talking about the legends having to have the records. But he passed a lot of legends just for the last 20 runs he got. Sangakkara’s, guys like that. I’m like, ‘Oh, they’re not legends or what?'”
He’s never going to get that opportunity: AB de Villiers
Further, De Villiers said that Mulder may never get another chance like this again. The stage was perfect, and Mulder should have gone for the history.
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He signed off by saying, “No, he’s never going to get that opportunity (to break Lara’s record) again. Just go get it. It doesn’t matter who it’s against or where it is. They still won the Test match. That’s the most important thing.”
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Notably, Wiaan’s innings helped South Africa beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 236 runs in the second and final Test as the tourists clinched the series 2-0 in July. He had smashed 367 runs off 334 balls with the help of 49 boundaries and 4 sixes against Zimbabwe.
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