Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi recently picked up the better captain between the two former World Cup-winning captains – Australian Ricky Ponting and Indian MS Dhoni.
Ricky Ponting and MS Dhoni both were very successful during their leadership tenures. From 2002 to 2012, Ponting recorded 220 victories out of his 324 international matches as a captain (77 lost, 2 tied and 13 draws). He is still the only captain to manage 200+ international victories.
On the other hand, Dhoni is the most-capped international captain as he led the Indian team in 332 international matches (2007-2018). Out of those matches, his team won in 178 matches (120 lost, 6 tied and 15 draws).
Under Ponting’s leadership, the Australian side set the dominant image in international cricket.
During his leadership, Australia achieved many successes, including winning the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 and 2007, ICC Champions Trophy 2006 and 2009 etc.
Except for the ICC Champions Trophy 2006, Australia were the unbeaten sides in the other three ICC tournaments successes.
In the meantime, India also achieved many successes in every format during Dhoni’s leadership tenure. Under his captaincy, India won the ICC World T20 2007, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, ICC Champions Trophy 2013 and many other reputed series/trophies.
He is still the only captain to win three different ICC trophies. Also, India were the unbeaten side during their ICC Champions Trophy 2013 victory in England.
I rate MS Dhoni a bit higher than Ricky Ponting: Shahid Afridi
Recently, on twitter, a fan asked the former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi to choose between the two former successful captains – Ponting and Dhoni.
In reply, Afridi rated the former Indian skipper Dhoni a bit higher than Ponting for developing a new team full of youngsters.
Afridi wrote, “I rate Dhoni a bit higher than Ponting as he developed a new team full of youngsters”
I rate Dhoni a bit higher than Ponting as he developed a new team full of youngsters
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) July 29, 2020
Former Pakistan all-rounder Afridi, who played 524 international matches (27 Tests, 398 ODIs and 99 T20Is) between 1996 and 2018, led the Pakistan team in 83 international matches (only Test, 38 ODIs and 44 T20Is).