Brian Lara Names The Batter Who Can Break His World Record Of Highest Score In Test Cricket And First Class Cricket,

06 Dec 2023, 08:30 by Mayank · CricketAddictor

It is truly said that ‘Records are meant to be broken’. However, some records seem unbreakable like Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 international centuries, Muttiah Muralitharan’s 800 Test wickets, Brian Lara’s highest Test score of 400, Rohit Sharma’s highest ODI score of 264, Suni Narine’s maiden in a super over and Mohammed Shami’s 24 wickets in seven matches in a World Cup.

Brian Lara, however, believes his record of the highest test score of 400 can be broken. In an era where 400-plus team totals in a Test innings have started to become uncommon due to the introduction of fast-paced action in Test cricket, Lara not only said his world record individual score can be broken but also named the batter who has the best chance to break it.

The Carribean legend said that India’s talented youngster Shubman Gill can go on to smash more than 400 runs in a Test innings. Brian Lara had become the first and to date the only cricketer to hit 400 runs in a Test match. A feat he achieved against England in 2004. He also holds the record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket as the left-hander had scored an unbeaten 501 in a County Championship match for Warwickshire against Durham back in 1994.

Brian Lara Believes Shubman Gill Will Break Both Of His Towering Feats

Brian Lara said Gill could break both of his towering feats. “Shubman Gill can break both my records,” Lara told Anandabazar Patrika. The former West Indies captain mentioned Gill as the most talented batter currently in World Cricket. “Gill is the most talented batter in this new generation. He will rule cricket in the coming years. I believe he will go on to break many big records,” he added.

Shubman Gill, the youngest Indian to score an ODI double hundred and a century in all the formats of the game, hasn’t had an auspicious start to his Test career. He has managed just 966 runs in 18 matches at an average of 32 with just one century to his name. However, he has just turned 24 and the best of him is yet to come.

Shubman Gill has had a phenomenal start to his ODI career. He recently climbed the rankings to become the No.1 ODI batter and is the fastest to score 2000 runs in the 50-over cricket in just 38 innings. The 24-year-old has already slammed six centuries and has a blistering average of 61.37 in the format. However, he could not set the stage on fire in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 but Lara believes Gill will win many ICC tournaments for India in the coming years.

“Gill didn’t score a century (in the World Cup) but look a the knocks he has already played. He has centuries in all formats, has smashed a double hundred in ODIs and has also played many match-winnings in the IPL. I’m sure he will many ICC tournaments in the future,” he added.

‘Have You Seen How Gill Charges Down The Fast Bowlers?’: Lara

When asked about the aspect of Gill’s batting that caught Lara’s attention the most, the West Indies legend mentioned Shubman Gill’s style of batting. “The way he bats is superb. I have immense belief in him. Have you seen how he charges down the track to hit the seamers down the ground? Unbelievable,” said Lara.

“If Gill plays County cricket then he can break my 501*. In Test cricket, he can surely go past 400. Cricket has changed a lot, especially batting. Batters play t20 leagues across the globe. IPL has changed everything. The scoring rate has gone up. So you will keep seeing big scores. Shubman will score big, mark my words,” Lara added.

Shubman Gill started his test career as an opener but now finds himself playing at no.3 as the team management wants to look beyond Cheteshwar Pujara. Gill will face a tough challenge playing at no.3 against South Africa as Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are most likely to open the innings in South Africa.