Dravid vs De Villiers against lateral movement

[PlayerComparisons]

Who would you pick against an ATG pace attack in conditions with lateral movement? Let’s assume the ATG attack is Marshall, Steyn, Imran at their peak

 

[subshakerz]

ABD easily. Dravid was already a flop against Steyn. Adding the other two is overkill.

 

[ma1978]

Dravid had arguably the greatest series ever against swing / seam. How is this a discussion?

 

[subshakerz]

Dravid had arguably the greatest series ever against swing / seam. How is this a discussion?

It's a discussion because Dravid wasnt great against high pace or bounce. It's a discussion because he has consistently failed to score against Steyn. It's a discussion because his record in SA and Aus is poor.

ABD handled peak Mitchell Johnson and Cummins and comfortably.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

I can understand why someone would pick Dravid against guys like Philander and Anderson (even then it’s close) but surely ABD is better against ATG pacers

 

[capt_Luffy]

I can understand why someone would pick Dravid against guys like Philander and Anderson (even then it’s close) but surely ABD is better against ATG pacers

In prime swinging conditions?? Nahhhh

 

[ma1978]

Not a discussion. Dravid has some of the greatest innings played in seaming and swinging conditions which is what you mentioned. And unlike ABD he has actually played ATG pacers.

 

[Ray.]

It's a discussion because Dravid wasnt great against high pace or bounce. It's a discussion because he has consistently failed to score against Steyn. It's a discussion because his record in SA and Aus is poor.

ABD handled peak Mitchell Johnson and Cummins and comfortably.

So did Ajinkya Rahane. #relevance?

 

[subshakerz]

So did Ajinkya Rahane. #relevance?

Not consistently. Kohli yes.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Not consistently. Kohli yes.

I’d take Kohli over Dravid in this scenario as well

 

[subshakerz]

Not a discussion. Dravid has some of the greatest innings played in seaming and swinging conditions which is what you mentioned. And unlike ABD he has actually played ATG pacers.

Dravid at best has a mixed record against such pacers, but mostly struggled. As usual your approach is just take every career highlight you can find and define a player (Indian normally) by that.

 

[Majestic]

Dravid at best has a mixed record against such pacers, but mostly struggled. As usual your approach is just take every career highlight you can find and define a player (Indian normally) by that.

Consider their batting positions also. Ball stops swinging once it gets older and softer. Who is more likely to negotiate that phase and build a longer innings then?

 

[Majestic]

It is harder for most batsman to negotiate such high quality pacers in bowling friendly conditions.

ABD has more shots and capable of dominating vs genuine pace but that's more likely once the ball gets softer. Dravid can negotiate the moving ball better though.

 

[subshakerz]

It is harder for most batsman to negotiate such high quality pacers in bowling friendly conditions.

ABD has more shots and capable of dominating vs genuine pace but that's more likely once the ball gets softer. Dravid can negotiate the moving ball better though.

In my experience of watching, grinding out against high quality pacers is a losing strategy compared to counterattack.

Dravids records in SA and Aus also raise questions for me.

 

[Bolo.]

Other than his time as an opener (when he was mediocre), how much lateral movement did AB play?

 

[subshakerz]

Other than his time as an opener (when he was mediocre), how much lateral movement did AB play?

Not much. Moreso pace and bounce.

 

[subshakerz]

If the bowlers in question were Pollock, Anderson and McGrath, I would go towards Dravid (though he struggled against the latter).

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Being good against lateral movement won’t be very useful against an ATG attack if you don't handle pace and bounce very well

 

[subshakerz]

Should be pointed out that ABD struggled massively against Clark and Asif early in his career but didn't really face quality seamer bowlers after that.

 

[subshakerz]

If the bowlers in question were Pollock, Anderson and McGrath, I would go towards Dravid (though he struggled against the latter).

Dravid against Anderson was great at getting on top of the ball and smothering or redirecting the lateral movement off his pads. But with extra bounce and given that he wasn't the best hooker or puller, I see him facing a hard time against the pacers in the OP.

ABD on the other hand was great at crossbat shots and also had that instinctive genius and relfexes to compensate with innovative shots with lifting deliveries.