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Legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid has recently opened up about the greatest international captains in cricket history. The former India head coach highly rates Steve Smith, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Virat Kohli, Imran Khan, and MS Dhoni.
Dravid has picked Steve Smith over many successful captains, but the former Indian captain eventually picked MS Dhoni as the greatest ever captain he has seen. Amid this, Anil Kumble talks fail as Amit Mishra gets Delhi Capitals role.
Rahul Dravid picks Steve Smith over Stokes, Williamson and other legends
The first surprise came when Rahul Dravid was asked to choose between Steve Smith and Ben Stokes on ESPNCricinof. The former Indian head coach picked the former Australian captain over the former England captain without hesitation.
He continued to back Smith when compared with Kane Williamson, Arjuna Ranatunga, Graeme Smith, Stephen Fleming, and Michael Clarke. Each of these captains left a strong mark on international cricket. Stokes has changed England’s Test cricket with his aggressive and fearless leadership and helped the team win the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Williamson guided New Zealand to the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title and led them to several ICC finals, including that heartbreaking 2019 ODI World Cup final. Smith was South Africa’s youngest Test captain and helped build a strong team during his long leadership spell.
Smith picked over Eoin Morgan and Pat Cummins
Speaking about Stephen Fleming, he is one of the most respected captains and coaches the game has ever seen. Fleming led New Zealand in over 300 matches and won nearly 130 games. Meanwhile, Michael Clarke led Australia to the 2015 ODI World Cup and played a key role in the team’s dominance.
Dravid also picked Smith over Eoin Morgan, who transformed England’s white-ball cricket and led them to their historic 2019 ODI World Cup triumph and even over Pat Cummins. However, Cummins has already created a huge legacy by leading Australia to the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship title and so many memorable victories.
Ricky Ponting finally ends Smith’s dominance
The interesting twists came when the comparison moved towards Australia’s legendary captains. Well, Smith lost the race to his former captain Ricky Ponting, with Dravid selecting the Australian legend over the great Allan Border. The former Indian head coach said, "I'll have to say Ricky Ponting. I didn't really see Allan Border.”
Ponting is one of the greatest captains the game has seen. He led Australia during one of their dominant periods and was part of the team that won the 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cups. However, Dravid then chose another great Australian, Steve Waugh, over Ponting.
Waugh led Australia to the 1999 ODI World Cup and was the captain of a dominant Test side that enjoyed a record 16 successive Test wins. Earlier, Six-member commentary panel announced for India-Afghanistan T20I series.
Virat Kohli gets the nod over Steve Waugh
Well, the next round was even more interesting. Dravid picked Virat Kohli over Steve Waugh considering the former Indian captain’s huge impact.
Kohli helped India become a fearless Test team, led the side to the top of the Test rankings, and played a major role in changing the team’s fitness and fast-bowling culture. But when Kohli was compared with Imran Khan, Dravid went with the Pakistan legend because of what he achieved.
Imran led Pakistan to their famous 1992 ODI World Cup triumph and built a team that produced the greatest moments for Pakistan.
Rahul Dravid picks MS Dhoni his greatest captain
But Dravid eventually picked MS Dhoni as the greatest captain the game has ever seen. He picked Dhoni over Imran and then Clive Lloyd, who led the West Indies to the 1975 and 1979 ODI World Cup titles. Dhoni’s leadership record is unmatched in the world cricket.
Dhoni led India to the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2010-11 World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy, making him the only captain to win all three major ICC white-ball trophies. He was also one of the greatest wicketkeepers the game has seen.
Rahul Dravid's top international captain is _________ pic.twitter.com/hmaf2Zsz7K
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) September 12, 2026
