Published: Jan 16, 2026, 05:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 16, 2026, 05:03 PM (IST)
In modern cricket, the term Fab Four is widely used to describe the era’s four elite batters – Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson. While debates continue over who stands tallest among them, opinions often vary depending on format, conditions and nationality.
Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam recently shared his perspective on the Fab Four, revealing how he ranks the quartet across formats and specifically in Test cricket.
In an exclusive interview with Code Sports, Babar Azam made it clear that Virat Kohli tops his all-format ranking among the Fab Four, citing the Indian great’s consistency and impact.
According to Babar’s all-format list:
“When it comes to impact and consistency across all formats, Virat Kohli is at the top,” Babar said.
Kohli and Babar are often compared, particularly by fans across India and Pakistan, though many former cricketers believe such comparisons across eras and conditions are unnecessary.
Virat Kohli’s record in white-ball cricket, especially ODIs, remains unmatched among the Fab Four. He is the leading century-maker in the format and has consistently delivered in high-pressure matches.
| Batsman | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | 163 | 298 | 15,921 | 51.07 | 66 | 41 |
| Steve Smith | 123 | 220 | 10,763 | 53.90 | 44 | 37 |
| Kane Williamson | 108 | 192 | 9,461 | 51.98 | 38 | 33 |
| Virat Kohli | 123 | 210 | 9,230 | 46.85 | 31 | 30 |
Kohli has scored 14,673 runs in 310 ODIs at an average of 58.45, including 53 centuries – numbers that prompted Babar to describe him as “the best batter of this generation.”
While Kohli topped Babar’s combined all-format list, his Test ranking raised eyebrows.
In Test cricket, Babar Azam ranked:
This ranking surprised many, especially given Kohli’s success as both a batter and captain in the longest format.
| Batsman | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 310 | 298 | 14673 | 58.45 | 77 | 53 |
| Joe Root | 186 | 175 | 7730 | 48.54 | 43 | 19 |
| Kane Williamson | 175 | 167 | 7256 | 48.69 | 15 | 47 |
| Steve Smith | 170 | 154 | 5800 | 43.28 | 35 | 12 |
Steve Smith’s Test record stands out for its sheer consistency and volume of runs. Averaging over 56 in Test cricket, Smith has dominated attacks across conditions with an unorthodox technique that has troubled bowlers worldwide.
Meanwhile, Joe Root, has been England’s batting backbone in recent years, scoring runs across continents and continuing to climb the all-time Test run charts.
Virat Kohli enjoyed a highly successful Test career, particularly during his peak years as India’s captain. He played 123 Test matches, scoring 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries, before retiring from the format after a gradual dip in form towards the latter phase of his career.
Despite being placed third in Babar’s Test ranking, Kohli’s overall influence on modern cricket – especially across formats – remains unparalleled.
Babar Azam’s rankings once again highlight how perceptions change depending on format. While Steve Smith reigns supreme in Tests, Virat Kohli’s all-format dominance ensures his place at the top of the Fab Four debate.
As cricket evolves, the discussion around the Fab Four – and who truly leads the pack – remains as compelling as ever.
