Wiaan Mulder, South Africa's stand-in captain, has sparked considerable debate after declaring his team's innings against Zimbabwe, just 33 runs shy of Brian Lara's all-time record of 400 not out for the highest individual score in a Test match. Mulder's decision, while undoubtedly made with the team's best interests at heart, has drawn comparisons to Rahul Dravid's infamous declaration in 2004, when he left Sachin Tendulkar stranded at 194 not out.
Mulder reached lunch on Day 2 of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, sitting on an impressive 367 not out. His score is the fifth-highest in Test history and the highest ever by a South African, surpassing Hashim Amla's 311* against England in 2012. He also became the first batter in Test history to score a triple century in his first innings as captain. Mulder's innings included 49 fours and four sixes, a testament to his aggressive and dominant batting display. Despite being in a position to potentially break Lara's record, Mulder opted to declare with South Africa at 626/5. This decision immediately paid dividends as Zimbabwe were quickly reduced to 2-4.
The declaration has been met with mixed reactions from fans and cricket analysts alike. Some have lauded Mulder's selfless decision, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the team's victory over individual milestones. Others have expressed disappointment, arguing that the opportunity to witness history being made was missed. This situation is reminiscent of Mark Taylor's declaration in 1998 when he was 334 not out against Pakistan, equaling Don Bradman's highest score. David Warner eventually surpassed Taylor's score in 2019.
The parallels between Mulder's declaration and Rahul Dravid's in 2004 are unavoidable. In the Multan Test against Pakistan, Dravid, then the stand-in captain, declared India's innings with Sachin Tendulkar at 194 not out. Dravid's decision was based on strategic reasons, aiming to exploit the deteriorating pitch and tire out the opposition. However, it left Tendulkar visibly disappointed, a moment that remains etched in cricket history. Former India opener Aakash Chopra, who was part of that match, recalled that Tendulkar was "unhappy" with the call.
Dravid later admitted that he would not have declared had he known the match would end within four days. Despite the controversy, India won the match by an innings and 52 runs, securing their first-ever Test victory on Pakistani soil. Tendulkar later acknowledged that while he was momentarily upset, he understood Dravid's decision was aimed at securing a win for the team.
In Mulder's case, his declaration also reflects a focus on team strategy. South Africa had already won the first Test of the series by 328 runs, and Mulder's decision to prioritize securing another victory underscores his leadership approach. However, the allure of witnessing a player break Brian Lara's long-standing record is undeniable, and many fans feel that Mulder missed a golden opportunity.
Regardless of the debate, Wiaan Mulder has etched his name in the record books. His unbeaten 367 is the highest score in an away Test by any batter and the highest ever by a South African. While some fans may be upset by the missed opportunity to see him challenge Lara's record, Mulder's decision highlights the complex balance between individual ambition and team goals in cricket.
