Former England cricketer Stuart Broad acknowledged that India captain Shubman Gill seemed ready to break Brian Lara's record Test score of 400 during his first-innings knock at Edgbaston last week, despite the speculation surrounding Wiaan Mulder's choice to declare South Africa's innings while batting on 367.

In the second Test match against England in Birmingham, Gill spearheaded India's batting attack, scoring a marathon 269 runs in India's decisive 336-run victory that tied the series. Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, the 25-year-old Broad stated that he believed Gill might have replicated Lara's achievement, despite having broken numerous records on his own.

"In my opinion, India got a perfect score of ten out of ten. It's tempting to be negative of the other side, which is England in this case, when a Test match ends so one-sidedly, but India was simply outstanding. To be honest, Shubman Gill 269 seemed like he might have surpassed Lara's record," he stated.

Following the former India captain's retirement from the format in May 2025, Broad praised India's choice to replace Virat Kohli with Gill at No. 4. After Cheteshwar Pujara dropped out of the Test lineup, Gill switched his batting position for the second time. He had previously started his career as an opener before switching to the No. 3 position.

He was simply coasting along. He didn't seem to be bothered by anything. He continued, "Goodness me, that move to four, since Kohli has retired and gone to a hundred, big double, big 150. He has spent most of his career opening the batting, but he has since relocated to number four. It seems as though he has no flaws at all."

The second innings saw Gill score an additional 161 runs, bringing his total to 430, which is the most runs ever scored by an Indian in a single Test and the most runs ever scored by a captain in the history of the format.

India was able to set a target of 608 thanks to his knocks, and then Akash Deep took a six-wicket haul to knock England out of the game.

"The Test might have ended in a tie for England. The rain forced them to bat for about 80 overs. I believe they will be somewhat upset that they were unable to accomplish that. The surface didn't resemble a worn fifth-day pitch in any way. Broad said, "They'll be disappointed they didn't exhibit a bit more craftsmanship in the defense."

What prevented Mulder from attempting to break Lara's record?

With only 34 runs to go till making history, captain Mulder appeared poised to break the record for the most individual runs scored in the 148-year history of Test cricket, in which 3234 players have participated. However, on the second afternoon of the game in Bulawayo, when the visitors were at 626/5, he announced South Africa's innings after lunch.

The home side was then bowled out for 170 by South Africa during the third session, and a follow-on was enforced. As South Africa defeated them by an innings and 236 runs, they only managed one more wicket in the remaining 16 overs of the game, bringing it to a close by the third afternoon.

Had Mulder been after 401 on Day 2, it would have been unlikely that his effort to get ahead of the squad would have had an impact on South Africa. Nevertheless, he was held back by a blatant display of "respect."

"Also, I think respecting the game is really important; letting someone like Lara keep his record," Mulder said. "He's one of the greatest to ever have played the game, so he deserves that. Also, all that matters is that I still believe we have a good chance of winning the game.

Read Also: After Edgbaston Snub, English Journalist Refuses to Boost India Captain

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