‘Records are meant to be broken’; Brian Lara disagrees with Wiaan Mulder’s decision to not chase 400

In a rare display of humility in modern cricket, South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder chose respect over records when he decided not to chase Brian Lara’s iconic 400-run Test milestone, even as he stood just 33 runs short. While the cricketing world admired his gesture, Lara himself had a different take, urging the young all-rounder to seize such moments and create his own legacy. 

The exchange between the two greats, past and present, has now sparked a lively debate on whether Mulder’s decision was a cricketing grace or a missed shot at immortality.

Lara Urges Mulder to Chase Glory

Mulder revealed in an interview with SuperSport that he recently spoke to Lara, who didn’t quite agree with his philosophy. “He said to me, I’m creating my own legacy, and I should have gone for it. Records are there to be broken, and he wishes that if I’m ever in that position again, I actually go and score more than what he had,” Mulder shared.

A Record Within Reach

Mulder’s 367 now stands as the fifth highest individual Test score ever and the highest by a South African, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311*. Despite Lara’s encouragement, Mulder stands firm on his decision. “That was an interesting point of view from his side, but I still believe I did the right thing. Respecting the game is the most important part for me,” he said.

Coaching Advice Added to the Call

Adding context, Mulder said head coach Shukri Conrad advised, “Listen, let the legends keep the really big scores.”

Legacy or Lost Opportunity?

While Mulder’s decision was rooted in respect and humility, Lara’s words underline the spirit of competition. Whether it was missed history or cricketing grace, Mulder’s choice continues to stir cricket conversations worldwide.