There was a time in international cricket when Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli was considered one of the most prominent members of the Fab 4 – Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root being the other three. All four came up with exceptional performances globally, particularly in Test cricket, which is considered the pinnacle of the game. However, things have changed drastically over the last few seasons for the Indian batting star. His loss of form for an extended period not only saw him drop in the official ICC rankings but there was a stage when his place in the Indian team was questioned, something unimaginable a few years back.
Along with the loss in form, his standing in the Fab 4 has also been questioned. He has rediscovered his limited-overs form for India and his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the 2023 edition. However, his struggles in Test cricket have continued. When he scored a hundred on a flat track at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, fans were hopeful of Kohli had rediscovered his rhythm. However, he disappointed in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final against Australia, failing to come up with a significant knock in both innings.
Comparing Kohli’s performance to other members of the Fab 4
If we analyze Kohli’s performance since the start of 2020, he has played 25 Test matches in which he has scored 1277 runs at a disappointing average of 29.69 with a solitary hundred – the abovementioned 186 in the fourth Test against Australia in Ahmedabad. Breaking down his stats further, he has averaged 39 in Australia (one Test), 15 in Bangladesh (two Tests), 28.38 in England (seven Tests), 34.47 in India (11 Tests), 9.50 in New Zealand (two Tests) and 40.25 in South Africa (two Tests). He has had a very poor run for too long now.
During the same period, he has averaged 41.58 from 32 ODIs, with three hundreds and 52.88 from 40 T20Is, with one hundred. While his white-ball numbers are much more impressive than his Test stats, there has been a significant improvement due to his recent return to form. However, the lack of success in Test cricket clearly stands out as a sore thumb.
Looking at Smith’s stats, the Australian batter has played 26 Tests since the start of 2020 and has scored 1805 runs at an average of 48.78, with as many as five hundreds during the period. The Aussie right-handed batter averages 50.27 in Australia (15 Tests, three hundreds), 44.25 in England (two Tests), 29 in India (four Tests), 56.50 in Pakistan (three Tests) and 75.50 in Sri Lanka (two Tests). Barring the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, he has done well in all countries during the said phase.
In the same period, he has also been in stupendous form in the one-day format. In 24 matches, he has scored 1129 runs at an average of 59.42, with four hundreds. Smith has struggled in T20Is, though, averaging 22.68 from 27 matches. Overall, Smith has a massive edge over Kohli regarding consistency in the Test format, the main criterion for being part of the Fab 4.
Shifting focus to Williamson, the New Zealand batter has also produced wonderful numbers in Test cricket despite battling a recurring elbow issue. In 16 matches, starting January 2020, the seasoned Kiwi cricketer has scored 1745 runs at an average of 72.70, with seven hundreds. He also led the team to victory in the inaugural WTC final in Southampton against India in 2021.
Coming back to his Test numbers since the start of 2020, Williamson averages 30.14 in England (four Tests), 21 in India (one Test), 93.46 in New Zealand (nine Tests) and a whopping 138.50 in Pakistan (two Tests). While most of his success has come at home, where he scored six of his seven hundreds, it is still a highly credible achievement. His performance in Pakistan, where he also scored a 200, reiterated his class. Starting 2020, Williamson averages 46.88 in 12 ODIs and 36.88 in 30 T20Is. So it goes without saying that he, too, possesses a much superior record to Kohli during the said period.
Lastly, looking at Root, the former England captain has also tasted great success in Test cricket since the start of 2020. In 42 matches, he has scored 3809 at an average of 56.01, with 13 hundreds. Root has struggled in Australia (average 32.20) and Pakistan (average 25) during this period. However, he has done very well in all other countries. Root is averaging 63.70 in England (20 Tests, seven tons), 46 in India (four Tests), 106.33 in New Zealand (two Tests), 48 in South Africa (two Tests) and 106.50 in Sri Lanka (two Tests). He is averaging 35.10 in ODIs during this phase and hasn’t played T20Is, but his Test numbers are good enough to stay in the Fab 4.
Babar Azam the new member of Fab 4?
If Kohli is no longer part of the Fab 4, who takes his place. Most critics would say Babar Azam, but does the Pakistan skipper make the cut? Starting in 2020, Babar averages 55.25 with five tons. While four have come at home, Babar averages 48.75 from three Tests in England. He had not played in Australia during this period, though.
Babar has been exceptional in ODIs, averaging 72.08 from 26 matches with seven hundreds. He has also notched up three tons in T20Is. It would be fair to conclude that the Pakistan batter has done much better than Kohli during the said period. But there are still a few question marks over his Test ability away from home. So, as of now, we can say Babar is at the doorstep of making it to the Fab 4. Cricket will have to do with Fab 3 unless Kohli makes a sensational reentry.