Wiaan Mulder's Brian Lara respect move gets belt treatment from Cheteshwar Pujara, Michael Vaughan

Former cricketers have criticized South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder for not trying to break Brian Lara’s record of 400 during the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Mulder remained unbeaten on 367 runs but chose not to chase the milestone, sparking debate among the cricketing community.

Wiaan Mulder, leading South Africa and batting at No. 3, scored 367 off 334 balls before lunch on Day 2 of the second Test against Zimbabwe. With fans and pundits expecting him to break Brian Lara’s record of 400, Wiaan Mulder surprised everyone by declaring the innings before the second session.

The 27-year-old said that records like the highest individual Test score should remain with legends such as Brian Lara. Wiaan Mulder surpassed Hashim Amla’s mark to register the highest individual score by a South African in Tests. The all-rounder is now the fifth-highest individual scorer in Test cricket history.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

There’s No Chance of Me Ever Getting to 367 - Alastair Cook

In a video shared by BBC’s Test Match Special, the commentary team was asked whether they would have declared the innings if they were in Wiaan Mulder’s shoes, unbeaten on 367.

Alastair Cook stated that since modern cricket no longer has timeless Tests, he’d definitely go for Brian Lara’s record if he ever got that far. Former England pacer Steven Finn added some humor, saying he didn’t even score 367 runs in his entire Test career.

Also Read: Ben Stokes passes brutal verdict on Wiaan Mulder declaring to pay respect to Brian Lara

"They don't do timeless tests anymore, so there's no chance of me ever getting to 367, but if I got that far, I'm going for the record," Cook said.

"I didn't score 367 career runs, so I think I'd have probably kept going," Steven Finn said.

Wait for Vaughan's answer 😂

We asked our TMS team if they would have declared in Wiaan Mulder's position on 367*... pic.twitter.com/vH40LYzBa6

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 11, 2025

I Wouldn’t, But It Was a Brave Decision - Cheteshwar Pujara on Wiaan Mulder

Isa Guha stated that she wouldn't have reached 367 in the first place and agreed with the decision to declare. However, Cheteshwar Pujara added that he wouldn’t have declared if he were in that position. Michael Vaughan said, “No,” when asked if he would have made the same decision.

"It's the great man, isn't it? And I probably wouldn't have got 367 in the first place, so yes, I would have declared," Guha said.

"No, of course not. As a matter, I wouldn't, but it was a brave decision. I respect that, but if I was in that situation, I wouldn't have declared," Pujara said.

"No," Michael Vaughan opined.

India and England are Playing the Third Test of Five-Match Series at Lord’s

India and England are currently playing the third Test of their five-match series at Lord’s. England posted a total of 387 in the first innings, with Joe Root scoring 104. Jamie Smith (51) and Brydon Carse (56) chipped in with crucial runs in the middle order. Jasprit Bumrah picked up 5 wickets for 74 in 27 overs.

In reply, Jofra Archer removed Yashasvi Jaiswal for 13 in his opening over of the comeback game. KL Rahul and Karun Nair then added 61 runs for the second wicket. However, Nair (40) was once again dismissed after a promising start, while captain Shubman Gill managed only 16.

Rishabh Pant, who didn't keep wickets during England’s innings, came in to bat at No. 5. KL Rahul looked solid at the crease, reaching a well-made half-century. At stumps on Day 2, India were 145 for 3 in 43 overs, still trailing by 242 runs, with Rahul (53) and Pant (19) at the crease.

Also Read: Wiaan Mulder leaks private chat with Brian Lara after refusing 400-run World Record chase