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Ricky Ponting vs Rahul Dravid

Which was a better Test Player?

  • Ricky Ponting

    Votes: 24 52.2%
  • Rahul Dravid

    Votes: 22 47.8%

  • Total voters
    46
Think we've met in the middle quite nicely there.

Don't mention it, always a pleasure.
 
From another perspective:

Imagine yourself as a test match bowler. Whom would you prefer bowling to? Punter or Dravid?

Both frustrate the bowlers, Ponting by scoring quickly and Dravid by boring bowlers to death for hours.

I'd prefer bowling to dravid, at least my E/R will be down :D
 
Rahul Dravid v Ricky Ponting

Both prolific #3s, batting with the strongest batting line-ups in their generation.

Both neck and neck in the test top scoring list until the former retired recently.

Both had one geographical weakness each - Dravid couldn't bat in South Africa and Ponting can't bat well in India. Though Dravid scored his first test ton at the Wanderers back in 96/97. Ponting has tonned up as well once in India. But both averages hover in the mid to late 20s.

Both averages are at the 52/53 mark.

Discuss.
 
Normally I always go with the more attacking option, as it is harder to score heavily whilst also taking on the bowlers (generally, higher SR = lower average).

But for once, I'm not sure, mainly because I haven't rated Ponting as highly as some others do.
 
Discuss what? Who is better?

Dravid is on the Lord's Honours board; edges it for me.
 
this comparision has some potential....

I actually can't decide whom i'l put ahead. i'l put them side by side.
 
dravid did a great job, he was the main stay many times while a weak and fragile batting line up crumbled around him. Pretty much held up the team in the 2000s/early 90s.
Ponting for me though because of how dominant he was. Really crushed opposition spirits when he got going where as dravid was just annoying.
 
Although their stats are very similar, as batsmen, they are chalk and cheese.

Ponting would dominate and destroy. Dravid would exhaust and disintegrate.

As a captain Ponting edges Dravid.
As a gentleman, Dravid over Ponting.
As ODI batsman, Ponting over Dravid.
As test batsman, both almost equal.
 
Discuss what? Who is better?

Dravid is on the Lord's Honours board; edges it for me.

Lords is not the be all and end all.

Even Praveen Kumar and Sir Agarkar are on Lord's board.

Btw, Ponting has scored an ODI century at Lords.
 
This is one of the better comparisons threads. It very close according to me, but I vote for Dravid, because pointing had the comfort of knowing he had the worlds best bowlers at his disposal, whereas Dravid didn't have that luxury.
 
I think its a good comparison. Ponting for me though. He didn't play 75% of his career in the sub-continent.
 
Punter at his peak is incomparable. But Dravid has been more than a wall for India and arguably the best test batsman India has ever produced. Both equal for me, taking their whole test career into account.
 
Finally a sane comparison.


India's best batsman of the past 2 decades vs Australia's best of the past 2 decades. Both batting at no.3, the hardest position to bat at in cricket.


Its tough, but as someone said, Dravid must have played an incredible amount of matches in the sub-continent. Ponting was incredible at his peak. We need some stats :yk
 
Lords is not the be all and end all.

Even Praveen Kumar and Sir Agarkar are on Lord's board.

Btw, Ponting has scored an ODI century at Lords.

Not saying Lord's is the be all end all, but it's an achievement which many cricketers aim for in their career.

Too close to call between the two. Both Dravid and Ponting would feature in my all time favourites, but if I had to pick one, it would be Dravid.

Plus Dravid is a nice bloke!
 
I think its a good comparison. Ponting for me though. He didn't play 75% of his career in the sub-continent.

yeah but ponting avgs 25 in india. so batting in india isn't that easy as some here are making out.

also dravid avgs 50+ away compared to ponting 45. so dravid isn't an ftb or anything. (also avgs 50+ outside asia).
 
In test both are almost equal. Maybe Ponting will now have edge Dravid because he is still playing and his form is back. In ODI Ponting was much better.
 
yeah but ponting avgs 25 in india. so batting in india isn't that easy as some here are making out.

also dravid avgs 50+ away compared to ponting 45. so dravid isn't an ftb or anything. (also avgs 50+ outside asia).

Every player usually has a nemesis country where he sucks most. Ponting sucks in India. That does not prove that batting is not more easy in India. But home conditions are easier for most players, SC or not.
 
Dravid slightly better in tests.
Ponting far better in ODIs.


Overall i'd give it to Ponting.
 
Ponting slightly.

This is my top 5 batsmen out of what I've seen.
1. Tendulkar
2. Ponting
3. Lara
4. Dravid
5. Chanderpaul
 
I am a big Dravid fan.

But Punter arguably gets into a list of the top ten or fifteen cricketers of all time, for the reasons I have listed in the Ponting v India thread.
 
Ponting without any doubt, Ponting is more naturally gifted and is capable of pulling things off with ease compared to Dravid.
 
Finally a sane comparison.


India's best batsman of the past 2 decades vs Australia's best of the past 2 decades. Both batting at no.3, the hardest position to bat at in cricket.


Its tough, but as someone said, Dravid must have played an incredible amount of matches in the sub-continent. Ponting was incredible at his peak. We need some stats :yk

It is interesting you say that but, When you consider what Dravid has achieved:

He has played 69 tests away from Asia and has scored 5918 runs at an average of 53.80 which is greater than his overall average of 52.31. He has 14 of his 36 hundreds away from Asia.

If you just look Dravid's performance away from home which includes his performances in Asia. He has played 94 matches, scored 7690 runs at an average of 53.03 and has 21 of his 36 hunderds away from home.

Ponting on the other hand has played 28 tests in Asia and only averages 41.97 and has scored 1889 runs. He has just 5 of his 41 hundreds in Asia. His average is almost 12 points lower in Asia.

If you just include simple calculation of Ponting away from home. 71 tests, 5360 runs, Average 45.81 (7 points lower than his overall average) and 16 hundreds.

Dravid has superior record to ponting if you look at these stats anyway. So Dravid hands down for me according to the stats above.

Ponting is a great player who becomes just a good player away from home.
 
Cricinfo's XI was a biased XI based on selectors' favoritism.

How can you not include Sunnil Gavaskar as an opener is intriguing. Then they chose Lillee>Mcgrath and many selectors including Chappel were against the selection of Gilchrist.

on topic@ Ponting for me. Dravaid is a great player but ponting was a bigger match winner. Ponting batting at number 3 would take away games from you where as Dravid kept batting at his pace with a low SR.
 
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... It very close according to me, but I vote for Dravid, because pointing had the comfort of knowing he had the worlds best bowlers at his disposal, whereas Dravid didn't have that luxury.
While batting noone thinks what kind of bowling attack his team have. May be they would think what kind of tail his team have.

I vote for Dravid for a different reason. It is the person I admire more than the slize ball who thinks he is the 3rd umpire. A black spot for Aussie captains.
 
This is one of the better comparisons threads. It very close according to me, but I vote for Dravid, because pointing had the comfort of knowing he had the worlds best bowlers at his disposal, whereas Dravid didn't have that luxury.

I don't think that's fair on Ponting. The same can be said of Viv Richards, but we all know he was the best of his time.
 

Dravid > Ponting, because Ponting didn't have to bat against McGrath and Warne.

BTW, Ponting wasn't the best Aussie batter of the last two decades IMO: Tugga was.
 
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Cricinfo's XI was a biased XI based on selectors' favoritism.

How can you not include Sunnil Gavaskar as an opener is intriguing. Then they chose Lillee>Mcgrath and many selectors including Chappel were against the selection of Gilchrist.

on topic@ Ponting for me. Dravaid is a great player but ponting was a bigger match winner. Ponting batting at number 3 would take away games from you where as Dravid kept batting at his pace with a low SR.

Dravid is a big test match winner - to the maximum extent allowed by Indian bowlers. In England, Dravid waged a lone battle, had three potentially match winning knocks under difficult conditions and hostile swing bowling, but he did not get even a little bit of support from another Indian batsman or bowler. Low SR (Dravid at 41) is not such a big deal in a test match, unless you are a player like Sehwag who blazes away at run a ball.
 
It is interesting you say that but, When you consider what Dravid has achieved:

He has played 69 tests away from Asia and has scored 5918 runs at an average of 53.80 which is greater than his overall average of 52.31. He has 14 of his 36 hundreds away from Asia.

If you just look Dravid's performance away from home which includes his performances in Asia. He has played 94 matches, scored 7690 runs at an average of 53.03 and has 21 of his 36 hunderds away from home.

Ponting on the other hand has played 28 tests in Asia and only averages 41.97 and has scored 1889 runs. He has just 5 of his 41 hundreds in Asia. His average is almost 12 points lower in Asia.

If you just include simple calculation of Ponting away from home. 71 tests, 5360 runs, Average 45.81 (7 points lower than his overall average) and 16 hundreds.

Dravid has superior record to ponting if you look at these stats anyway. So Dravid hands down for me according to the stats above.

Ponting is a great player who becomes just a good player away from home.

Bit surprised as I never queried Ponting's away stats.
As a Test batsman it's Dravid for me.

Punter though is a fat better ODI batsman and a top notch fielder.
 
Dravid > Ponting, because Ponting didn't have to bat against McGrath and Warne.

BTW, Ponting wasn't the best Aussie batter of the last two decades IMO: Tugga was.

Interesting.. with Warne and Mcgrath in the team or even with only one of them in the team Dravid has scored only 1 century- that famous calcutta knock. Other than that he he has been very poor. Probably 2 more fifties in as many as 22 innings against them.
 
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Dravid is a big test match winner - to the maximum extent allowed by Indian bowlers. In England, Dravid waged a lone battle, had three potentially match winning knocks under difficult conditions and hostile swing bowling, but he did not get even a little bit of support from another Indian batsman or bowler. Low SR (Dravid at 41) is not such a big deal in a test match, unless you are a player like Sehwag who blazes away at run a ball.

There is big difference b/w a SR of 41 and 58.76.

41= 222 runs in a day.
58.76= 320 runs in a day.

This means you're giving your bowlers ample time to get the batsman out.
 
Chanderpaul? No Inzi or even Moyo?
yep chanderpaul. Just personal opinion. Grittiest batsman out there in my opinion. So many times he's been with his back on the wall bailing out his struggling team. He's pretty underrated, haven't seen many batsman bat with that sort of pressure involved.

Yousuf and Inzi are very good, but they don't make the top 5 in my opinion. Maybe top ten.
 
way too difficult to decide. actually can play both in a side, ricky as the attacking option and dravid as the gritty defensive hold one end kind of batsman.
 
Both are my favourites. So I aint vote anyone from these poll.


Couldn't you put Sachin as 3rd option?!
 
Ponting easily . Always prefer an attacking option over a defensive option .

Also Dravid averages 29 in Sa and 33 in SL , so it isnt like Ponting has failed in India but Dravid has Bradmanesque averages all around the world .
 
As a test batsman, I would prefer Dravid @ number 3. Even when he gets out cheaply, he consumes around 100 balls for his 20 and takes the shine out of the new ball allowing the storke makers to follow an easier ride. Ponting is more of a hit and miss. When in form he is glorious but against new cherry he also has the habit of getting out cheaply and quickly exposing the middle order.
 
There is big difference b/w a SR of 41 and 58.76.

41= 222 runs in a day.
58.76= 320 runs in a day.

This means you're giving your bowlers ample time to get the batsman out.

In a team with batsmen having SR of 80+(Sehwag), Tendulkar (55) etc, India would easily score 320 in a day with Dravid holding one end intact. Every one does not need to score at 60 SR in a test match - it is role based. As long as the team is balanced, a batsman with a high career average and ability to play for long durations will win more test matches for you as long as your team has bowling capable to taking 20 wickets.
 
Ponting. Because he was possibly the most key cog in the most sucessful test team in history.

The guy was a monster 2003-2007!

Nuff said.

No, Not enough said.

Why this hypocrisy in Dravid case?? Pathan was also from a more successful test team than aamir´s. But there you choose aamir and ignored that Match winning and successful team fact. Why man why?????????

Didnt you watch Dravid bat?
 
Normally I always go with the more attacking option, as it is harder to score heavily whilst also taking on the bowlers (generally, higher SR = lower average).

But for once, I'm not sure, mainly because I haven't rated Ponting as highly as some others do.

Read this Post below and you will wonder what you have done with your opinion inside 9-10 months:

Ponting.

Can't compare a grafter with a strokemaker.

Any top player can graft like Dravid if need be - Tendulkar, Lara, Ponting, Inzi have all played stodgy low-risk innnings and scored centuries. KP managed it in the first innings of this match.

Even someone like Yousuf, who isn't the most technically correct, beat Viv Richards' record of runs in a calendar year when he turned himself into a grafter for that period.

Dravid vs. Kallis vs. Chanderpaul etc.- he's the best of the Graham Thorpe-type players.

Once he is in the league of Chanderpaul, Kallis and Thorp and then you are not sure wether Ponting is better than him or not.

Where did stroke maker factor go in 2012?
 
Some interesting stats below....

This is the batting record of players when the following players were in the opposition team...

Ambrose, Donald, Garner, Waqar, Wasim, Imran, Mcgrath, Warne, Marshall, Hadlee, Lillee, Murali, Pollock, Thomson, Bob Willis, Trueman Arguably the best ever bowlers?

RT Ponting 58.46
IVA Richards 52.48
BC Lara 50.02
SM Gavaskar 49.14
Majid Khan 49.06
G Boycott 47.86
KD Walters 47.64
NS Sidhu 47.4
MJ Slater 47.32
A Flower 46.92
Javed Miandad 46.91
AR Border 45.76
M Azharuddin 45.71
SR Waugh 44.2
GS Chappell 43.97
SR Tendulkar 43.57
RR Sarwan 42.95
ME Trescothick 42.28
Inzamam-ul-Haq 42.01
GP Thorpe 41.62
JH Kallis 41.55
CH Lloyd 41
RA Smith 40.96
MD Crowe 40.83
R Dravid 40.75
GR Viswanath 40.71
M Amarnath 40.32

Minimum 2000 runs

(By no means is this an overall ranking of players.... but a good piece of evidence when making a call)

All of sudden in this thread you are Statsmaster but in other thread you were making argument based on watching aamir on tv, Youtube.

This is pure hypocrisy.
 
I have the most conclusive stat: strike rate 42.27.

42 runs per 100 balls.

42. Runs. Per. 100. Balls.

Strike rates are not considerd a factor in Test Cricket. Test cricket is all about patience.

Its tough, but as someone said, Dravid must have played an incredible amount of matches in the sub-continent. Ponting was incredible at his peak. We need some stats :yk

Why this subcontinent pitches factor all of sudden??? Are they flat???

Well Irfan also bowled on that flat pitches. There you didnt appriciated him for bowling on flat pitches. But here ......

Triple Standards (Double standards isnt a good to describe your posts)
 
Read this Post below and you will wonder what you have done with your opinion inside 9-10 months:



Once he is in the league of Chanderpaul, Kallis and Thorp and then you are not sure wether Ponting is better than him or not.

Where did stroke maker factor go in 2012?

Yep, I was well aware of my previous posts, which is why I said in 'I normally go for the attacking option'. No harm in changing a view is there? We are discussing opinions, not facts here. The gap has narrowed in my mind, but I still didn't pick Dravid.

Also, I said Dravid was in the league of Chanderpaul and Kallis (which is not an unreasonable assumption) but said he was a 'Thorpe-type player', in the same way that Pathan is a Wasim-type bowler, or Kevin Pietersen is a Vic Richards-type batsman. Wouldn't get too hung up about that remark.
 
In a team with batsmen having SR of 80+(Sehwag), Tendulkar (55) etc, India would easily score 320 in a day with Dravid holding one end intact. Every one does not need to score at 60 SR in a test match - it is role based. As long as the team is balanced, a batsman with a high career average and ability to play for long durations will win more test matches for you as long as your team has bowling capable to taking 20 wickets.
@bolded part- Ponting exactly did that with higher SR.

When you compare two batsmen you consider them individually..keeping everything else constant. There in no denying in Dravid's role or how great he was.. to me Ponting was a better player they way he bullied and destroyed attacks.

P.S how do know Tendulkar has a SR of 55 in Tests?
 
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yep chanderpaul. Just personal opinion. Grittiest batsman out there in my opinion. So many times he's been with his back on the wall bailing out his struggling team. He's pretty underrated, haven't seen many batsman bat with that sort of pressure involved.

Yousuf and Inzi are very good, but they don't make the top 5 in my opinion. Maybe top ten.

I agree Chanderpaul is a good player, but not good enough to make top in my opinion.

I think Inzi definitely makes the top 5, but I guess we have to agree to disagree. :)
 
@bolded part- Ponting exactly did that with higher SR.

When you compare two batsmen you consider them individually..keeping everything else constant. There in no denying in Dravid's role or how great he was.. to me Ponting was a better player they way he bullied and destroyed attacks.

P.S how do know Tendulkar has a SR of 55 in Tests?

Tendulkars 55 S/r is mentioned there at cricinfo records .
 
For me its Ponting who edges Dravid. I love R.Dravid but his best innings are all on a secondary role usually with VVS or Sachin or some other middle -order batsmen. Ponting is a mover, he wins game on his own so Ponting(purely considering batting) gets my vote.

But Quality(of batting) wise both are equal. Off the field Dravid wins hands-down.
 
@bolded part- Ponting exactly did that with higher SR.

When you compare two batsmen you consider them individually..keeping everything else constant. There in no denying in Dravid's role or how great he was.. to me Ponting was a better player they way he bullied and destroyed attacks.

P.S how do know Tendulkar has a SR of 55 in Tests?

Tendulkar SR is on cricinfo.

Ponting bullies by destruction. Dravid bullies by grinding. Ask a bowler how he would feel if he goes wicketless for 50 overs.

You could have six Pontings, a WK and four good bowlers and you would win or draw consistantly against six Dravids, a WK and four good bowlers. But as long as Dravid is in a team that has faster scoring members, he would be as dangerous as Ponting because he could seal one end without the team being affected due to the scoring rate.

Dravid is a complete team man and must be evaluated from that angle. As an individual, his brilliance does not match the likes of Ponting-Sachin-Lara. He is ready to bat at any position in the line up, including as an opener which is a specialist position. He was ready to adorn the gloves when the team needed it and he was not a natural keeper either. If anybody in the Indian team would be ready to declare when he is on 98 not out, it would have to be Dravid.
 
I had to vote for Punter not only for his batting, but his fielding and captaincy as well. Deserves more credit as he has batted successfully most of his career also shouldering the captaincy.
 
Ponting comfortably. It's a shame to see them neck and neck on this poll but I guess that'll happen when you have any Indian in a poll
 
Ponting comfortably. It's a shame to see them neck and neck on this poll but I guess that'll happen when you have any Indian in a poll
[MENTION=133315]Hitman[/MENTION] said some Indians didn't like Punters attitude and behaviour on the pitch at times that could be a reason.
 
Ponting slightly.

This is my top 5 batsmen out of what I've seen.
1. Tendulkar
2. Ponting
3. Lara
4. Dravid
5. Chanderpaul

Mine

1. Lara
2. Ponting
3 = Sangakkara Tendulkar & Kallis

Re this battle, it's a bit stupid really, obviously Ponting was much better than Dravid. Ponting didn't used to just survive, he used to take attacks apart.

Kind of insulting to Ponting this comparison, in the same way as Indian's would probably find it insulting if there was a Sachin Vs Dravid thread. Am I right about that?
 
Ponting comfortably. It's a shame to see them neck and neck on this poll but I guess that'll happen when you have any Indian in a poll

Posted this because I didn't read that this poll was just for Tests. If it was just ODIs then there would be no comparison. I still think ponting is better
 
Ponting and Dravid are both great batsmen who done a brilliant job for their teams.
 
Ponting, quite easily. More impactful and even though he failed in India, Dravid failed in both South Africa and Australia (barring one tour where Australia were playing a weak attack).
 
I am guessing this is for tests. Its pretty close, but I will chose Punter because of his aggressive cricket.

Dravid
1. Played for a relatively weaker side
2. Failed against SA, but still had a few innings of significance there
3. Was good against pace and spin
4. Played some really significant knocks in Indian overseas win. Was a huge factor in India becoming a top side in 2010s

Punter
1. Only failed in India, but still had a significant innings
2. Didnt have to play against his own bowling attack
3. Was not as as successful against spin
4. Attacking cricket took the game away from the opposition. A lot more than Dravid did

I must add though, that even though Punter was the better batsman, but both were the product of the needs of their teams.

Dravid played for a relatively weaker bowling sides, so safety first was the major concern. The only was his bowlers could take 20 wickets, was on a helpful pitch, so he had to buckle down on those pitches.

Punter had the bowling to take 20 wickets anywhere, so had he been more defensive, he would have reduced the chances of his team winning. He had to attack in order to ensure that his bowlers got ample time to take 20 wickets. Draw was rarely an option.
 
Also, if its only a test related thread, could we please have 'Test Only' added to the thread title. It can lead to confusion as [MENTION=139150]aliasad1998[/MENTION] faced
 
It has to be Dravid! Amazed to see the hate and bias here. This forum never ceases to amaze me when it comes to hatred and bias.
 
It has to be Dravid! Amazed to see the hate and bias here. This forum never ceases to amaze me when it comes to hatred and bias.

Where's the bias? Have a look at Dravid's strike rate and then compare it with Ponting's strike rate. Ponting was a dashing stroke maker who could destroy bowling attacks. And that's what seperates great players from good ones, the ability to dominate attacks.
 
Ponting but not a lot in it as far as Tests are concerned imo. Overall tho Ponting comfortably ahead.
 
This is a hard comparison. Would rate Dravid a touch higher simply because he faced better quality attacks playing for a weaker side.
 
Big fan of Rahul Dravid but I rate Punter ahead of him. Would select Dravid on turning and swinging tracks. Also for last day draws. Everywhere else, Punter.
 
Where's the bias? Have a look at Dravid's strike rate and then compare it with Ponting's strike rate. Ponting was a dashing stroke maker who could destroy bowling attacks. And that's what seperates great players from good ones, the ability to dominate attacks.

That's a good point. I'll switch my preference to Ponting now. Dravid even though technically superior was never as dominating as Ponting irrespective of which side he played for or against.
 
Ponting had one of the greatest peaks of all time.

Dravid, on other hand, struggled vs SA and Aus.

Ponting for me.
 
Tbh, there isn't much to chose between the two. Just a matter of which style of play you prefer. Though I must say that people overvalue the importance of strike rate in tests.

How many matches have Dravid lost or how many victories have he cost India because of his lesser strike rate? Playing at number 3 with Sehwag as an opener, how often was he required to bat with greater freedom? He is not a Boycott who would just glue himself to one end. While India was playing against Pakistan with a batting line up having Sehwag, Dravid, VVS, Tendulkar and Ganguly, it was Dravid used to create most fear in me, even though Sehwag has Bradmanesque record against Pakistan. With Sehwag going big, you always knew that the conditions are perfect for the batting and our batsmen always still have a chance to save the match. Whenever Dravid scored a century, you still are unsure about the conditions. Moreover, with his method of grinding his runs thus keeping the opposition in the field for long time, it makes it even more difficult for the teams like Pakistan who historically have lower fitness standards.
 
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Dravid was a super effective bat who really became a beast from 2000-2006.

But Ponting's domination and ruthlessness is a bit too hard to overcome. At one point (I think 2009), Ponting averaged like 57 with his style of play.

Ponting for me.
 
Dravid was a super effective bat who really became a beast from 2000-2006.

But Ponting's domination and ruthlessness is a bit too hard to overcome. At one point (I think 2009), Ponting averaged like 57 with his style of play.

Ponting for me.

Ponting averaged more than 59 back in 2006.
 
Ponting wipes the floor with Dravid.Absolutely no doubts about pointing being the better.
 
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