Chris Gayle Slams Wiaan Mulder’s Declaration on 367: "He Panicked and Blundered"*

Chris Gayle Slams Wiaan Mulder’s Declaration on 367: "He Panicked and Blundered"*

Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle has strongly criticised South African stand-in skipper Wiaan Mulder for declaring his team's innings while unbeaten on 367, thereby passing up the chance to break Brian Lara’s long-standing record for the highest individual Test score.

Mulder’s career-best 367* came against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, but rather than pushing towards Lara’s record of 400*, he opted to declare at lunch on day two, citing respect for the legendary West Indian. The decision sparked widespread debate, with Gayle now adding his voice to the chorus of criticism.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Gayle did not mince words.

“If I could get the chance to get 400, I would get 400,” Gayle said. “That doesn’t happen often. You don’t know when you’re going to get to a triple-century again. Any time you get a chance like that, you try and make the best out of it.”

Mulder, 27, was playing in just his 21st Test and entered at No. 3 in the 10th over. Facing 334 deliveries, he struck 49 fours and four sixes during his marathon innings. South Africa ended day one with Mulder on 264* and stretched the total further on day two, before declaring at lunch with Mulder 33 runs shy of Lara’s 400* milestone.

Gayle acknowledged Mulder’s stated reason of wanting to preserve Lara’s record, but remained unconvinced.

“Maybe he panicked, he didn’t know what to do in that situation,” Gayle said. “Come on, you’re on 367—automatically you have to take a chance at the record. If you want to be a legend… how are you going to become a legend? Records come with being a legend.”

He further dismissed the notion that the quality of opposition should diminish the achievement.

“It’s the same cricket, Test cricket,” Gayle added. “Sometimes you can’t even get one run against a team like Zimbabwe, if you want to put it that way. It doesn’t matter the opponent—if you get a hundred, a double, triple, or 400—that’s still Test cricket. That’s the ultimate game.”

Mulder’s decision has divided the cricketing world, with some praising his humility, and others, like Gayle, arguing he let a rare moment slip through his fingers.

“Like I said, he panicked and he blundered, straight up,” Gayle concluded. “Come on, youngster, you’ve blown it big time.”

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