In cricket, the term “Fab Four” denotes the four standout modern era batsmen: Virat Kohli of India, Joe Root of England, Steve Smith of Australia, and Kane Williamson of New Zealand. Renowned for their remarkable consistency and influence across all formats, especially in Test cricket, since the early 2010s.
The golden age of batting is finally winding down. The Fab 4 in cricket are now entering the final chapters of their long careers. Joe Root is still chasing Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time run record. At the same time, Virat Kohli recently moved his focus to ODI cricket after leaving the Test arena in a high-profile exit.
Steve Smith still bats with his signature, unorthodox style for Australia, even with talk of a retirement tour. Also, Kane Williamson remains the main reliable part of New Zealand’s batting order. These four players owned an entire decade of the sport. However, today, in December 2025, the group looks different. Personal goals now matter more than their old rivalry.
Key Highlights for 2025:
- Joe Root leads the group in Test runs. He has a massive total of 13,762 runs. This makes him England’s most successful run-getter ever.
- Virat Kohli remains the clear leader in 50-over cricket. He has a record 53 centuries, even though he stopped playing red-ball cricket.
- Steve Smith still has the highest Test average of the group at 55.97. His scoring pace slowed down a bit during the current Ashes series.
- Kane Williamson keeps playing different formats with his usual calm. However, he now picks his games one series at a time.
The Statistical Supremacy of the Fab 4 in Cricket
The numbers speak for themselves. They show just how many runs these men piled up over 15 years. Joe Root is currently the top Test run-scorer in this group. He reached 13,762 runs by late 2025. This huge number puts him right in the race for the world record.
The English batter got much better at turning starts into big hundreds over the last three seasons. On the other side, Steve Smith has a Test average of 55.97. This is still the best mark for consistency in long-form cricket. He keeps this up even though he doesn’t score as fast as he used to.
Virat Kohli redefines the DNA of Indian batting. He focuses on fitness and loves the pressure of chasing scores. His ODI record of over 14,500 runs puts him in his own league. The Indian run-machine is way ahead of any other active player in white-ball cricket.
Kane Williamson plays with calmness. He has a Test average of 54.68 and 33 centuries. He often carries a New Zealand team that doesn’t get to play many matches. These different paths show one defining factor. The Fab 4 in cricket dominated different parts of the game while all being world-class.
Why Joe Root Dominates the Fab 4 in Cricket Test Rankings
England’s busy schedule gave Joe Root the chance to play a lot of games. He played much more often than the other three. Still, he didn’t get worn out as some others did. He worked on a steady technique that works well against fast bowling and tricky spin.
Between 2024 and 2025, Root turned into a scoring machine. He often hit hundreds in back-to-back games. These runs helped a young England middle order put up good totals.
Also, Root’s sweep shots give him a big advantage. Smith and Williamson sometimes struggle with that on spinning tracks. His feet are still quick, even though he is in his mid-30s.
This helps him pick up easy singles. Root often annoys captains who try to set defensive fields against him. This staying power points to a clear result. Root might play until his late 30s. He wants to finish with the most runs in history.
The Evolving Legacy of the Fab 4 in Cricket Members
The late Martin Crowe came up with the idea of this group in 2014. He predicted these four young players would rule the sport, and they did exactly that. However, the year 2025 is a real turning point for them.
Virat Kohli’s quitting Test cricket was a huge shock in India. Fans find it hard to picture an Indian team without him. He decided to save his energy for the 2027 World Cup. Kohli knew his body needed a lighter schedule.
Steve Smith changed things up, too. He retired from One Day Internationals recently. He is now putting all his effort into the 2025-26 Ashes. Smithalso plays in T20 leagues around the world. He even spent part of the year in the United States playing in Major League Cricket.
Meanwhile, Kane Williamson takes things one series at a time. He skipped the latest India tour to play in the SA20 league instead. He is careful with his old injuries and wants to be with his family. This shift means the Fab 4 in cricket aren’t always playing for the same trophies at the same time anymore.
Future Prospects and the Rise of Successors
The original group is starting to step away. A new group of talented players is ready to take their place. These legends are leaving a huge gap behind. Players like Shubman Gill, Harry Brook, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are already putting up big numbers.
Their stats look a lot like the early years of the original four. Harry Brook hits the ball at a speed that changes how Test cricket is played. Meanwhile, Jaiswal’s double hundreds show the same hunger Kohli had ten years ago.
However, it will be hard to replace the impact of the Fab 4 in cricket. They grew up in a time when players stayed in all formats. Today’s players often pick one format very early.
Back then, Root, Kohli, Smith, and Williamson were masters of all three formats of cricket at once. When they leave, there will be a lack of leadership. The overall skill level of the game might drop, too. It could take years for the next group to reach that same level.
Final Take:
The time of the Fab 4 in cricket shows what hard work and talent can do. It proves how far players can go when they push each other to be better. These four didn’t just play; they controlled the sport for over ten years. They set the bar for every young kid picking up a bat. You might like Kohli’s energy or Smith’s grit. You might prefer Root’s smooth style or Williamson’s calm. No matter what, they changed the game forever.
Which one of these four do you think will be remembered as the greatest? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Tell us who you think will be the next big star in world cricket.
