### Wiaan Mulder's Historic Innings: A Missed Opportunity for Cricketing Glory In a remarkable display of cricketing talent, South Africa's stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder scored an impressive 367 not out during the second Test against Zimbabwe. This performance made him only the second South African to achieve a triple century in Test cricket, following in the footsteps of Hashim Amla. However, Mulder's decision to declare his innings while just 33 runs short of Brian Lara's world record of 400 not out has sparked significant debate and criticism, particularly from cricket legend Chris Gayle, who labeled the decision a "blunder" and a "panic" move [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/chris-gayle-slams-wiaan-mulders-decision-to-declare-on-367-he-panicked-and-he-blundered-10115487]. ### Breakdown of the Situation and Reactions 1. **Mulder's Performance**: - Scored 367 not out, the fifth-highest individual score in Test history [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3496709-mulders-record-breaking-triple-century-stuns-zimbabwe]. - Became the youngest captain to score a triple century on debut at 27 years and 138 days [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/zim-vs-sa-wiaan-mulder-300-test-captaincy-debut-world-record-fastest-youngest-10111388]. 2. **The Declaration**: - Declared the innings at 367, opting not to pursue Lara's record, which has been a topic of heated discussion [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3498458-chris-gayle-criticizes-mulders-missed-opportunity-to-break-laras-record]. - Mulder stated that he felt it was respectful to allow Lara's record to stand, indicating a sense of sportsmanship [https://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/he-deserves-to-keep-the-record-wiaan-mulder-reveals-why-he-declared-at-367-not-out/articleshow/122312454.cms]. 3. **Criticism from Chris Gayle**: - Gayle expressed disappointment, stating that Mulder "blew it big time" and that such opportunities are rare in cricket [https://www.thehawk.in/news/sports/youve-blown-it-big-time-that-doesnt-happen-often-gayle-slams-mulder-for-not-breaking-brian-laras-record]. - The criticism has ignited discussions about the balance between personal achievement and team strategy in cricket [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3498335-chris-gayle-questions-wiaan-mulders-declaration-sparks-debate-on-record-breaking-opportunities]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Performance Metrics**: - Mulder's 367 runs included 49 boundaries and 4 sixes, showcasing his dominance during the innings [https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2025/Jul/09/mulder-has-the-final-hand-as-south-africa-trounces-zimbabwe-in-heaviest-innings-defeat-in-20-years]. - His innings contributed significantly to South Africa's victory, leading to Zimbabwe's heaviest innings defeat in 20 years [https://wtop.com/sports/2025/07/mulder-closes-south-africa-crushing-zimbabwe-in-heaviest-innings-defeat-in-20-years]. ### Conclusion: A Historic Yet Controversial Decision In summary, Wiaan Mulder's innings of 367 not out is a significant achievement in South African cricket, marking him as a key player in the sport's history. However, his decision to declare has led to a divide in opinions, with many, including Chris Gayle, questioning the wisdom of passing up a chance to break a long-standing record. 1. **Mulder's achievement**: 367 runs, second South African to score a triple century. 2. **Controversial declaration**: Declared at 367, 33 runs short of Lara's record. 3. **Criticism**: Gayle and others express disappointment over the missed opportunity. Ultimately, Mulder's choice reflects a blend of personal values and team dynamics, leaving fans and analysts to ponder the implications of such decisions in the world of cricket [https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/south-africa-zimbabwe-test-mulder-declares-on-367-opts-not-to-chase-laras-400/20250707.htm].