Cricket, a sport that has captivated millions around the globe, has seen its fair share of legendary players. In the modern era, four batsmen have consistently stood out, earning them the moniker “Fab Four players.”
These exceptional cricketers – Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson – have redefined batting excellence across all formats of the game. This article sheds light on their remarkable careers, comparing their statistics and achievements to understand what makes them the cream of the crop in contemporary cricket.
When was Fab Four Term Coined?
The term “Fab Four” in cricket was coined by renowned cricket commentator Martin Crowe in 2014. Crowe, a former New Zealand captain and one of the game’s most astute observers identified these four players as the leading batsmen of their generation. He predicted that they would dominate world cricket in the years to come, a prophecy that has largely come true.
Crowe’s insight was based on the exceptional talent these players showed early in their careers, their technical proficiency, and their ability to adapt to different formats of the game. The term quickly gained traction in cricketing circles and media, becoming a popular way to collectively refer to Kohli, Root, Smith, and Williamson.
Fab Four Players Stats And Comparison
Let’s take a comprehensive look at the statistics of these four cricketing giants across all formats of the game. The following table provides a snapshot of their performances in Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Fab Four In ODIs
One Day Internationals have been a format where these four players have shown their true mettle. Here’s a closer look at their ODI performances:
Batting:
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 295 | 283 | 13906 | 183 | 58.18 | 50 | 72 |
| Kane Williamson | 165 | 157 | 6811 | 148 | 48.3 | 13 | 45 |
| Joe Root | 171 | 160 | 6522 | 133 | 47.61 | 16 | 39 |
| Steven Smith | 163 | 147 | 5583 | 164 | 43.62 | 12 | 34 |
Bowling:
| Player | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 295 | 50 | 5 | 1/13 | 136.0 | 6.16 |
| Kane Williamson | 165 | 65 | 37 | 4/22 | 35.41 | 5.36 |
| Joe Root | 171 | 72 | 27 | 3/52 | 58.74 | 5.81 |
| Steven Smith | 163 | 40 | 28 | 3/16 | 34.68 | 5.41 |
Fab Four In Test Cricket
Test cricket, often considered the ultimate test of a player’s skill and temperament, has seen these four players shine brightly. Here’s how they stack up in the longest format:
Batting:
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 115 | 195 | 8947 | 254 | 48.89 | 29 | 30 |
| Kane Williamson | 102 | 180 | 8681 | 251 | 54.48 | 32 | 35 |
| Joe Root | 147 | 268 | 12664 | 262 | 51.48 | 35 | 64 |
| Steven Smith | 109 | 195 | 9685 | 239 | 56.97 | 32 | 41 |
Bowling:
| Player | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 115 | 11 | 0 | 0/0 | – | 2.88 |
| Kane Williamson | 102 | 67 | 30 | 4/44 | 40.23 | 3.37 |
| Joe Root | 147 | 152 | 70 | 5/8 | 45.13 | 3.29 |
| Steven Smith | 109 | 62 | 19 | 3/18 | 53.05 | 4.11 |
Fab Four In T20I
In the shortest format of the game, these players have adapted their skills to meet the demands of fast-paced cricket:
Batting:
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 125 | 117 | 4188 | 122 | 48.7 | 1 | 38 |
| Kane Williamson | 93 | 90 | 2575 | 95 | 33.01 | 0 | 18 |
| Joe Root | 32 | 30 | 893 | 90 | 35.72 | 0 | 5 |
| Steven Smith | 67 | 55 | 1094 | 90 | 24.86 | 0 | 5 |
Bowling:
| Player | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 125 | 13 | 4 | 1/13 | 51.0 | 8.05 |
| Kane Williamson | 93 | 12 | 6 | 2/16 | 27.33 | 8.34 |
| Joe Root | 32 | 9 | 6 | 2/9 | 23.17 | 9.93 |
| Steven Smith | 67 | 17 | 17 | 3/20 | 22.24 | 7.79 |
Fab Four In IPL
The Indian Premier League, one of the most competitive T20 leagues in the world, has seen varied participation from these four players:
Batting:
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 252 | 244 | 8004 | 113 | 38.67 | 8 | 55 |
| Kane Williamson | 79 | 77 | 2128 | 89 | 35.47 | 0 | 18 |
| Joe Root | 3 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steven Smith | 103 | 93 | 2485 | 101 | 34.51 | 1 | 11 |
Bowling:
| Player | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 252 | 26 | 4 | 2/25 | 92.0 | 8.8 |
| Kane Williamson | 79 | 2 | 0 | 0/7 | – | 10.33 |
| Joe Root | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0/14 | – | 7.0 |
| Steven Smith | 103 | 1 | 0 | 0/5 | – | 0.0 |
Fab Four Stats: Career Highlights
This section delves into the career highlights of each player, showcasing the achievements that have propelled them to cricketing stardom. We’ll explore the key moments and performances that have defined their careers and made them integral parts of the Fab Four.
1. Virat Kohli: The Run Machine
Virat Kohli, born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, has become one of the most prolific run-scorers in modern cricket. His journey began as a teenager when he led India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup in 2008.
Career Highlights:
- Fastest to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 runs in ODIs
- The only player to average over 50 in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is simultaneously
- Most double centuries as a captain in Test cricket (7)
- Fastest to reach 20,000 international runs
- Most runs in a single IPL season (973 in 2016)
- ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2017 and 2018
Kohli’s aggressive batting style, coupled with his fitness regime, has redefined the standards of modern cricket. His ability to chase down targets in limited-overs cricket is particularly noteworthy, earning him the nickname “The Chase Master.” He is also one of the most handsome cricketers in the world.
2. Kane Williamson: The Calm Anchor
Born on August 8, 1990, in Tauranga, New Zealand, Kane Williamson has emerged as one of the most technically sound batsmen of his generation. His calm demeanor and ability to perform under pressure have made him a crucial asset for New Zealand cricket.
Career Highlights:
- Led New Zealand to the 2019 ICC World Cup final and 2021 ICC World Test Championship victory
- Scored centuries against all Test-playing nations
- Youngest New Zealand player to score 3,000 Test runs
- Most Test centuries for New Zealand (32)
- Named Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World for 2021
- ICC Test Player of the Year in 2021
Williamson’s leadership skills have been pivotal in transforming New Zealand into a formidable force in world cricket. His ability to adapt to different formats and conditions has made him one of the most versatile batsmen in the game.
3. Joe Root: The Classical Technician
Joe Root, born on December 30, 1990, in Sheffield, England, has established himself as one of England’s greatest batsmen. His classical technique and ability to play long innings have made him the backbone of England’s batting lineup.
Career Highlights:
- Most Test runs for England (12,664 as of the latest data)
- Fastest English batsman to reach 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, and 6,000 Test runs
- Second-highest individual score in T20Is for England (90* against West Indies)
- Led England to a historic 3-0 Test series win in Sri Lanka in 2018
- Named as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in 2014
- ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2021
- Became the top Test scorer for England in October, 2024
Root’s ability to play spin bowling has been particularly impressive, making him a valuable asset in subcontinental conditions. His leadership of the English Test team has seen periods of great success, including overseas series wins. Recently, he created his all-time highest test score (262) in the England vs Pakistan test series.
4. Steven Smith: The Unconventional Genius
Born on June 2, 1989, in Sydney, Australia, Steven Smith started his career as a leg-spinner but transformed into one of the world’s best batsmen. His unorthodox technique and incredible hand-eye coordination have made him a nightmare for bowlers worldwide.
Career Highlights:
- Second-highest Test batting average (56.97) among batsmen with more than 6,000 runs
- Fastest to reach 7,000 Test runs in terms of innings
- Won the ICC Test Player of the Year award in 2015, 2017, and 2018
- Scored 774 runs in the 2019 Ashes series, the highest in a series in this century
- Only player to win the ICC Test Player of the Year award more than twice
- Led Australia to the 2015 ICC World Cup victory
Smith’s ability to consistently score runs, especially in Test cricket, has drawn comparisons with the legendary Don Bradman. His comeback from a one-year ban due to the ball-tampering scandal showcased his mental strength and dedication to the sport.
Each of these players has carved out a unique niche in cricket history. Their consistent performances, ability to adapt to different formats, and leadership qualities have not only earned them a place in the Fab Four but have also significantly influenced the trajectory of their respective national teams. As they continue to compete and break records, their legacies in the sport only grow stronger, inspiring the next generation of cricketers around the world.
Who Leads The Pack In The Fab Four Competition?
Determining a clear leader among the Fab Four is a challenging task, as each player excels in different aspects of the game. However, we can draw some conclusions based on their statistics:
- Test Cricket: Steven Smith leads in batting average (56.97), closely followed by Kane Williamson (54.48). Joe Root has the most runs (12,664) and centuries (35).
- ODIs: Virat Kohli is the clear leader with the highest average (58.18), most runs (13,906), and centuries (50).
- T20Is: Virat Kohli again leads with the highest average (48.7) and most runs (4,188).
- IPL: Virat Kohli dominates with 8,004 runs, though his participation has been more extensive than the others.
In terms of overall consistency across formats, Virat Kohli seems to have an edge. However, each player has their strengths:
- Virat Kohli: Exceptional in ODIs and T20Is, with strong Test performances.
- Steven Smith: Dominates in Test cricket with the highest average.
- Joe Root: Most prolific in Test cricket with the highest number of runs and centuries.
- Kane Williamson: Consistently high averages across formats, especially in Tests.
Conclusion: Fab 4 Stats In All Formats
The Fab Four – Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson – have truly lived up to Martin Crowe’s prediction. They have not only dominated world cricket but have also raised the bar for batting excellence across all formats of the game.
Each player brings unique strengths to the table. Kohli’s aggressive style and consistency across formats, Smith’s unorthodox yet highly effective technique in Tests, Root’s classical approach and versatility, and Williamson’s calm demeanor and adaptability – all these factors have contributed to their success and popularity.
While statistics provide a quantitative measure of their achievements, it’s the impact these players have had on their respective teams and the game itself that truly sets them apart. They have inspired a new generation of cricketers and have been instrumental in some of their countries’ greatest cricketing triumphs.
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