How Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement Gave Fab 4’s Kane Williamson Reality Check

Who knew Martin Crowe’s 2014 prediction for four young stars would hit the mark so perfectly?

How Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement Gave Fab 4’s Kane Williamson Reality Check

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson (Image via Hindustan Times)

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Cricket fanatics have been extremely lucky to witness a quartet of players in the last 12 years to have such incredible batting stats all at the same time. The famous Fab 4, which includes Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and Joe Root, all peaked at the same time, competing fiercely against each other.

They had their preferred different formats and conditions but on the whole were consistent wherever they batted. Virat Kohli has taken a back seat from T20I and Test cricket. While Joe Root seems to have bid adieu to T20I cricket.

Smith too recently announced that he will only prioritize the red ball format going forward makes it interesting for Kane Williamson, who still is playing all three formats, however not being in the New Zealand central contract. Williamson, the New Zealand flavor of the Fab 4, recently in an interview mentioned his thoughts about Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket and what effect it had on him.

You never really consider it, and you do see some of your opponents and mates making some of these decisions and you think ‘gosh, it has been a while’, and you’re not getting younger.

Kane Williamson said via Independent

Williamson acknowledged that Kohli’s retirement made him realize that the famous quartet has been there for a while now. He also got a reality check of him not getting any younger with time, which is considered an important part of an athlete’s journey.

It’s a reality at some stage. For someone like Virat, who made that decision to go out on his own terms and do what he’s done for the game, that’s amazing. That’s so special. Everyone was caught by surprise because you feel like it will never happen, but it does. I’m more aware of that than most – and that’s great.

Kane Williamson added

Williamson praised Kohli for his amazing achievements in the longest format and was impressed that the Indian batter went out on his own terms. He also admitted that he was caught by surprise, like others. The Kiwi great mentioned that one feels a career so amazing will never come to an end, however, it someday does. He affirmed that he is very much aware of the fact that his career too will come to an end at some point.

Is there a potential future Fab 4 after Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Joe Root and Steve Smith?

There are always claims about who will replace the famous quartet in the upcoming years. Many also question can there by another set of four players dominating world cricket at the same time like the previous batch did? If one has to look at the current statistics, from India Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are making a strong case to be part of an elite quartet like this.

Harry Brook and Shubman Gill shaking hands
Harry Brook and Shubman Gill (via SportsTiger.com)

Both have consistently scored runs in all three formats, with Gill already having a hundred across all three. Jaiswal’s attacking approach is taking everyone by storm, and many experts have loved his flair.

England’s Harry Brook is often called Bazball’s child. His attacking but consistent approach in Test cricket is loved by one and all. Brook has an amazing 10 Test hundreds, in just 50 innings, which puts him very much in contention for the next Fab 4.

New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was a tad slow to get consistency in his career however now looks unstoppable for his national side. His ICC numbers have been talked about highly as he loves scoring big hundreds in such grand events.

Australia is yet to find Steve Smith’s replacement. With Marnus Labuschagne making a strong case for a long time, many felt he is the next from Australia to feature in a special quarter like this. However, the Aussie batter has tapered off in the last two years, showing signs of inconsistency. If he manages to find his form back, he might complete the quartet.

Pakistani flair Saim Ayub too is an exciting prospect for the future and might nominate himself for a spot if he continues to win matches for his side. Sri Lankan Kamindu Mendis too has achieved some Bradman-esque numbers in Test cricket and features in many conversations about future superstars of the game.

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