Rahul Dravid vs AB de Villiers, who was better against high quality bowling?

[PlayerComparisons]

I feel like De Villiers is overrated in tests based on what he actually achieved. Even people who generally rank results over aesthetics place him much higher than his output warrants imo. I think Amla was at least as good when his career overlapped with ABdV's. I don't see how De Villiers gets in that top or even second tier at all. He's about Inzi or Chanderpaul level imo.

Yeah 22 tons is a bit underwhelming. Abd needed to play from 2016-2020 to end up in tier 2.

 

[Shri]

to the morons who say that dravid was weaker vs spin, he was an important part along with laxman, sachin and ganguly for india's dominance in home tests ffs

 

[subshakerz]

Yeah agreed. Feel like he’s tier 1 on skill but he just didn’t have the longevity.

And it's weird to say that after he played 104 tests.

 

[subshakerz]

to the morons who say that dravid was weaker vs spin, he was an important part along with laxman, sachin and ganguly for india's dominance in home tests ffs

Weaker vs worldclass spin, yes. Not regular Kaneria spin.

 

[subshakerz]

I feel like De Villiers is overrated in tests based on what he actually achieved. Even people who generally rank results over aesthetics place him much higher than his output warrants imo. I think Amla was at least as good when his career overlapped with ABdV's. I don't see how De Villiers gets in that top or even second tier at all. He's about Inzi or Chanderpaul level imo.

I mean I agree, but 50 plus average, runs everywhere and against top bowlers, he is harder to rate than it seems.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

The question is if he would have still averaged 50+ if he played like another 30 tests

 

[subshakerz]

The question is if he would have still averaged 50+ if he played like another 30 tests

Likely would have and then been a solid tier 2 at least.

 

[BazBall21]

I feel like De Villiers is overrated in tests based on what he actually achieved. Even people who generally rank results over aesthetics place him much higher than his output warrants imo. I think Amla was at least as good when his career overlapped with ABdV's. I don't see how De Villiers gets in that top or even second tier at all. He's about Inzi or Chanderpaul level imo.

Averages more than Chanderpaul and Inzi overseas but with poorer longevity.

 

[BazBall21]

Also feel Inzi and Chanderpaul had obvious weaknesses against extra bounce. AB doesn't really have an obvious conditions weakness, but I get the longevity point.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Would be interesting to see how AB would do overseas in this bowler friendly era. He might not average 50+ overseas.

 

[subshakerz]

Would be interesting to see how AB would do overseas in this bowler friendly era. He might not average 50+ overseas.

Maybe Dravid wouldn't either.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Maybe Dravid wouldn't either.

Yeah Dravid might average 45 away from home like Kohli. I think Smith is the only one averaging 50+ away from home currently. Kane and Root are around 45 as well.

 

[BazBall21]

Maybe Dravid wouldn't either.

I don't think Dravid would but that's not a problem tbf. Literally only Smith does.

 

[Adorable Asshole]

Maybe Dravid wouldn't either.

Atleast Dravid was man enough to bat at no. 3.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Yeah abs batting position makes him hard to rate as well

 

[trundler]

Also feel Inzi and Chanderpaul had obvious weaknesses against extra bounce. AB doesn't really have an obvious conditions weakness, but I get the longevity point.

It's not just longevity. Despite the lack of apparent weaknesses, De Villiers still had about the same output as those guys. He wasn't more likely to score runs. And he had such a huge cushion for the vast majority of his career too. I just can't get behind rating a guy higher on perceived raw ability when he's played 100+ tests and said ability did not translate to exceptional standards by ATG standards.

 

[BazBall21]

It's not just longevity. Despite the lack of apparent weaknesses, De Villiers still had about the same output as those guys. He wasn't more likely to score runs. And he had such a huge cushion for the vast majority of his career too. I just can't get behind rating a guy higher on perceived raw ability when he's played 100+ tests and said ability did not translate to exceptional standards by ATG standards.

Think home conditions need to be contextualised when looking at output though. AB had tougher home conditions than the other two by a fsir distance so the fact he pulls a bit clear overseas makes a difference. Batting position maybe helps but he had a great technique, Shiv has the same caveat too ofc and it's not like Inzi batted top 3 much like a Dravid. I agree that AB is a tad overrated in tests (big cushion tax+longevity issues) but will take him over those two. AB v Amla is very close though.

 

[trundler]

Think home conditions need to be contextualised when looking at output though. AB had tougher home conditions than the other two by a fsir distance so the fact he pulls a bit clear overseas makes a difference. Batting position maybe helps but he had a great technique, Shiv has the same caveat too ofc and it's not like Inzi batted top 3 much like a Dravid. I agree that AB is a tad overrated in tests (big cushion tax+longevity issues) but will take him over those two. AB v Amla is very close though.

Batting at 5 after such an OP lineup pretty much neutralises the conditions disadvantage imo.

 

[Adorable Asshole]

Batting tiers since 90s

Tier 1: Smith, Tendulkar, Lara

Tier 2: Sanga, Ponting, Dravid, Kallis, Waugh (maybe ABD?)

Tier 3: Kohli, Younis K, Chanders, Inzi, Root, G Smith, Clarke, Pietersen, Hayden, Sehwag, etc

Not sure which tier ABD belongs in

Kohli belongs in the 2nd Tier

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Kohli belongs in the 2nd Tier

He’ll probably get there by the end of his career since he seems to back in good form