3 batsmen who could one day break Brian Lara's record of 400

Former West Indies batsman Brian Lara's 400 has been the highest individual Test score for a while now. At various points over the last decade and a half, the gargantuan score has looked like a mountain that cannot be climbed.

It was back in 2004 that England's bowlers faced the brunt of Lara's fury, and since then very few batsmen have come close to scoring a quadruple century. Lara's record has stood unperturbed for the last 15 years, and looks set to remain intact for a few more years.

Recently, David Warner came close with an unbeaten knock of 335 against Pakistan. However, Australian captain Tim Paine decided to declare the innings, leaving Warner 65 runs short.

For a batsman to surpass Lara's 400, he will need to have the ability to stay at the crease for a long time, with immense concentration powers. At the same time, he also needs to score his runs quickly so that the match doesn't end in a stalemate.

On that note, here is a look at three batsmen who seem to have the ability to go past 400 and break Lara's record:

3. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

Indian opener Rohit Sharma was at his best in the recent home series against South Africa. The right-hander was asked to open the innings in Test cricket for the first time, and he was able to grab the opportunity with both hands.

Rohit scored 529 runs in four innings at a staggering average of 132.25 and a strike rate of 77.25.

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The veteran batsman has the skills to hit the ground running in any format, and can score his runs at a healthy strike rate. Rohit has the experience of scoring daddy centuries in the 50-overs version and there's no reason why he can't repeat the same magic in the longest format of the game - especially in subcontinent conditions.

Rohit is the only batsman in ODI history with more than one double century. The 32-year-old has now found his feet in the red-ball version of the game too, and if he continues in the same vein he could well find himself in a position to score 400 some day.

2. David Warner

David Warner.

Australia's David Warner roared back into form in style against Pakistan in the recently concluded two-match series.

Warner scored a fine unbeaten knock of 335 runs in the second Test, and looked all set to go past Lara's 400. However, Tim Paine decided that Australia had scored enough, and with rain forecast for the third day, the captain decided to declare.

Warner scored 154 runs in the first Test at Brisbane and amassed a total of 489 runs in the two innings against Pakistan. The pugnacious left-hander strikes at a rate of 73.61 in the Test fold; that, coupled with the fact that he opens the innings, makes him well-positioned to have another crack at 400.

Warner is one of the best batsmen in the game currently, especially in home conditions, and it would not be a surprise if he goes past the monumental score some day.

1. Steve Smith

Steve Smith

Australia's talisman Steve Smith is unarguably the best Test batsman in the world right now.

Smith has been super-consistent in the red-ball version and he was at his absolute best in the Ashes 2019 against England. The right-hander scored 774 runs in seven innings at an unbelievable average of 110.57, with two centuries and a double hundred.

Smith has shown that he has the skills to bat big and long, and his hunger for runs seems never-ending. Smith has incredible staying power at the crease, and he never gets complacent after going past a century. He has gathered an astonishing 7013 runs in 70 Test matches at an average of 63.75 and a strike rate of 56.37.

There is hardly any chink in Smith's armor, and it is an extremely tough task to get him out once he gets settled. The talisman has the game and the hunger to go past Lara's 400; the only question is whether Australia will be in a strong enough position to facilitate that.