Fab Four : In the modern era of cricket, a quartet of batting maestros has emerged as the torchbearers of excellence and consistency across all formats of the game. Fondly referred to as the “Fab Four,” this elite group comprises Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson. These players have redefined batting with their adaptability, technique, and hunger for runs, cementing their places among the greatest batsmen of all time.

This article explores the careers of the Fab Four, analyzing their strengths, achievements, and contributions to cricket.

The Fab Four: An Overview

Player	Country	Role	Debut Year	Batting Style	Captaincy Experience
Virat Kohli	India	Top-order Batsman	2008	Right-handed	Former Indian Captain
Steve Smith	Australia	Top-order Batsman	2010	Right-handed	Former Australian Captain
Joe Root	England	Top-order Batsman	2012	Right-handed	Former England Captain
Kane Williamson	New Zealand	Top-order Batsman	2010	Right-handed	Former New Zealand Captain

Key Strengths of the Fab Four

Each member of the Fab Four brings unique qualities to the table. Here is a breakdown of their strengths:

Player	Strengths
Virat Kohli	Master of chases, incredible fitness, dominance in ODIs, adaptability in T20s
Steve Smith	Unorthodox technique, unmatched consistency in Tests, ability to grind runs
Joe Root	Elegance in stroke play, dominance against spin, consistency in Tests
Kane Williamson	Calm temperament, technical brilliance, adaptability in all conditions

Career Statistics of the Fab Four

Test Format

Player	Matches	Runs	Average	Centuries	Best Score
Virat Kohli	111	8,676	49.29	29	254*
Steve Smith	99	9,050	59.79	32	239
Joe Root	135	11,276	50.22	30	254
Kane Williamson	94	8,105	54.89	26	251

One-Day Internationals (ODIs)

Player	Matches	Runs	Average	Centuries	Best Score
Virat Kohli	275	12,898	57.32	47	183
Steve Smith	142	4,921	44.49	12	164
Joe Root	158	6,213	50.32	16	133*
Kane Williamson	161	6,554	47.83	13	148

T20 Internationals (T20Is)

Player	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate	Best Score
Virat Kohli	115	4,008	52.73	137.96	122*
Steve Smith	63	1,008	25.20	128.10	90
Joe Root	32	893	35.72	126.30	90*
Kane Williamson	87	2,464	33.30	123.01	95

Memorable Innings of the Fab Four

Virat Kohli

Match: India vs. Australia, 2016 (T20 World Cup)
Performance: 82* off 51 balls to chase 161
Significance: Cemented his reputation as a master chaser.

Steve Smith

Match: Australia vs. England, 2019 (Ashes)
Performance: 211 off 319 balls in Manchester
Significance: Helped Australia retain the Ashes on English soil.

Joe Root

Match: England vs. Sri Lanka, 2021 (Test Series)
Performance: 228 off 321 balls in Galle
Significance: A match-winning knock in challenging conditions.

Kane Williamson

Match: New Zealand vs. India, 2019 (World Cup Semi-final)
Performance: 67 off 95 balls
Significance: Played a pivotal role in guiding New Zealand to the final.

Impact on Modern Cricket

Raising Standards: The Fab Four have raised the bar for batting excellence across all formats.
Inspiration for Youngsters: Their success stories inspire young cricketers to aim for greatness.
Driving Rivalries: The competition among the Fab Four has added excitement to cricket, particularly in Tests.

Comparison with Previous Eras

Era	Iconic Batsmen	Comparison
1980s-1990s	Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting	The Fab Four have emulated their dominance in all formats.
Early 2000s	Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, Kumar Sangakkara	The Fab Four’s adaptability mirrors their consistency.

Conclusion

The Fab Four—Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson—are redefining cricketing greatness in the modern era. Their unmatched consistency, adaptability across formats, and ability to deliver under pressure make them the stalwarts of contemporary cricket. As their careers progress, their legacy will continue to inspire generations, ensuring that their contributions remain etched in the annals of cricketing history.