99.94 Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Ricky Ponting says he told Rahul Dravid not to retire when the Indian batsman was going through a lean spell late last year. The former Australia captain, 36, revealed he spoke to the Dravid after India won their series 2-0 last October. Dravid had managed just one century leading up to the series in India - an unbeaten 111 against Bangladesh in January. Ponting said on Thursday he had encouraged Dravid not to retire and the 38-year-old has since flourished, named India's best player in their 4-0 Test series loss to England, hitting 461 runs at an average of 76.8. "I remember after our last series in India there was a lot of talk and speculation about Dravid being finished," Ponting told ESPNcricinfo. "I actually went and found him at the end of the series and said, 'Don't you even think about retiring', because I just saw some stuff in a few of his innings that suggested he was still a very, very good player." "I just said, 'Don't let them wear you down, don't let them get you down'. I received a similar text message before and after the Ashes from him as well." Dravid made 77 in the first Test against Australia, but failed to pass 21 in his other three innings. He recovered to have a superb series against England, hitting three centuries, as India relinquished the number one ranking in Test cricket. Ponting said India were a weaker proposition now than in recent times and he would watch with interest how they went after veterans Dravid, 38, Sachin Tendulkar, 38, and VVS Laxman, 36, retired. "India still haven't reached that point that I thought they'd get to yet. They've still got that crux, those great batters in that side. Time will tell with India now," he said. "Dravid was probably one who was in the gun before the rest of them and he's found a way to come through. They (Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman) are all about the same age and they won't go on forever." http://www.sportal.com.au/news-display/ponting-told-dravid-not-to-quit-135429 :--D
achilles Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Misleading headline but great content. Kudos to Dravid and Ponting for advising each other not to take the critics seriously.
kubrickian Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 That's nice from Ponting encouraging others to hang in there during tough times. I always got a bad impression of him being a bit of an annoying character on the field but off the field he seems okay. He is alright even when he is giving interviews. Maybe he is like Gambhir, fiesty on the field but normal off it.
Karan114 Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Nice exchange between two legends of the game.
Rahul Dravid Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 That's nice from Ponting encouraging others to hang in there during tough times. I always got a bad impression of him being a bit of an annoying character on the field but off the field he seems okay. He is alright even when he is giving interviews. Maybe he is like Gambhir' date=' fiesty on the field but normal off it.[/quote'] did he touch butts too ? :desiwoman:
Rahul Dravid Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 both advicing each otha... and both passing ard the number 2 spot for most runs in test cricket... two legends... rep to ponting, never really liked him.. but if he did say that to my main man.... then, SALUTE. =)
Sachinism Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Ponting was hoping for a revival of form like Sachin had. He thought Dravid was on his way down and if he kept him in the game, he's mediocrity will be masked
vamos_rafa Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Ponting was hoping for a revival of form like Sachin had. He thought Dravid was on his way down and if he kept him in the game, he's mediocrity will be masked Conspiracy theory :two_thumbs_up:
Sachinism Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Conspiracy theory :two_thumbs_up: :P I was bored
kabira Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Ponting will have big series in Lanka I think.. When Ponting and Dravid are in good form, SRT is not ..When SRT is having Golden run these two struggle.
bhanu Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Ponting will have big series in Lanka I think.. When Ponting and Dravid are in good form, SRT is not ..When SRT is having Golden run these two struggle. kinda true :agree:
akshayxyz Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 I hope over the next 1-2 years will get to see good competition between these three and Kallis.
Rahul Dravid Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 I hope over the next 1-2 years will get to see good competition between these three and Kallis. cant believe these 4 wont be around in 3-4 years time :((
Rightarmfast Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Infact, I honestly expected Ponting to overtake Sachin , some years back. He has disappointed me. However, it must have been a deja vu for Ponting to see India in a position that it is now. Sometime, it hurts to see these legends ( Sachin, Ponting, Dravid, ) being treated and scrutinized the way they have been. And even at this age, they fight back and come out on top ! Good sportsman spirit from Ponting !
Sid Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Ponting will score a lots of runs this summer in Aus ,only Ishant can stop him :--D
Cricketics Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 No doubt - Two of the best no. 3 bats every to play International Cricket.
Blue Panther Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Thats cool from ponting and dravid. Good to hear these sort of things.
BERGKAMP Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 No doubt - Two of the best no. 3 bats every to play International Cricket. Brian Lara says hello :winky:
Cricketics Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Brian Lara says hello :winky: I say bye bye and shut the door. To me Ponting and Dravid are above lara.
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