- July 9, 2025
You’re sitting pretty on 367, just 34 runs shy of matching Brian Lara’s legendary 400. The records are within touching distance—and the stage is all yours. The opposition is up against the wall, there is no time factor, and you’re in total control. And then, you walk off.
That is exactly what Wiaan Mulder of South Africa did against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, leaving fans and cricket pundits shocked. His decision to declare was the trigger for possibly one of the more talked-about moments in cricket’s recent history. Did he do it for the ego, or had he blown the chance of a lifetime? Let’s take a look at what pundits had to say.
Michael Atherton: A Noble Call, But Time Was on His Side
Atherton, a member of the Sky Sports panel, said that while Mulder’s gesture was generous, he was concerned about the timing.
“To declare out at lunchtime when it was a five-day game… he had an opportunity of a lifetime.”
He shared a story about chatting with Brian Lara, who admitted that it’s only a matter of time before someone tops his record. When Lara talked about Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harry Brook, he was simply suggesting that someone will break his record someday. Mulder could have easily let that moment go by.
Dinesh Karthik: Captain’s Call, But Why Now?
Dinesh Karthik saw both angles but sided with the missed chance. He concurred that Mulder did indeed make a captain’s call, but reminded everyone that Zimbabwe was falling apart already:
“Zimbabwe was already sinking at 88 for 6—there was still plenty of daylight left in this Test.”
DK also highlighted that Mulder was a surprise success at 3, given he is ordinarily not a No. 3 and admired the knock, but could not look past just how close Mulder was to making history.
Ravi Shastri: Deja Vu from Mark Taylor Days
Ravi Shastri reminded us of a story we all know—Mark Taylor’s 1998 declaration on 334, the same score as Sir Donald Bradman, due to respect for the Legend. He referenced a moment that mirrored this, commenting:
“Scoring 400 in a Test isn’t just rare—it’s once-in-a-career kind of rare.”
To Shastri, Mulder’s action was the right thing to do, but it was a chance missed. There are not many Test quadruple tons in cricket, and he knows that better than most.
Stuart Broad: Respect for Lara, Reflections on Mulder’s Decision
Stuart Broad was all love on his podcast with Jos Buttler. Known as a Lara fanboy, he stated:
“Lara got 501, 375, 400… For the history of the game, he should hold the record.”
Broad even gave way to admitting that Mulder could have second thoughts down the track:
“In time… he may say, ‘I could’ve gone past 450.'”
It’s great to respect legends, but sometimes you have to chase milestones.
Wiaan Mulder’s declaration had people questioning more than just cricket strategy and lit a fuse open for conversation on the world stage. Some say he showed great character and humility, and others that he blinked when greatness lay before him.
Records like Lara’s are part of cricket’s mythology. And when someone comes this close, it’s hard not to wonder: what if?
So, now we toss it to you—was it a bold team-first move, or a chance Mulder might never get again? Let us know where you stand.
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