Back in 2014, cricket fans were captivated by a special group of four batters who came to be known as the “Fab Four.” This elite group—Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Joe Root—dominated world cricket across all formats. They not only scored consistently across formats but also lifted numerous trophies for their respective teams, building legacies that still resonate with fans.
However, the golden era of this Fab Four is slowly transitioning. With players retiring from one format or the other—most recently, Virat Kohli bidding farewell to red-ball cricket—the cricketing world is now looking to the next generation to pick up the mantle.
Kane Williamson Names His Next Fab Four
In a recent interview with The Cricket Monthly, Kane Williamson shared his thoughts on who he believes could form the new Fab Four of modern cricket. These are players who have already shown glimpses of brilliance across formats and are widely seen as the future of international cricket.
“The players that come to mind in terms of multi-format are: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rachin Ravindra, Harry Brook. And also Cam Green,” said Williamson.
He continued, “Those are all outstanding players and have shown fantastic moments in all formats. All young, and their games are just growing.”
Williamson’s list reflects a well-rounded mix of talent from across the globe. From India’s young guns like Jaiswal and Gill to New Zealand’s rising all-rounder Ravindra, England’s dynamic batter Harry Brook, and Australia’s promising Cam Green, the future looks bright.
The Changing Face of Modern Cricket
While discussing the potential successors, Williamson also reflected on the challenges of modern-day cricket, especially with the dominance of white-ball formats. He shared a sense of gratitude for being part of what he calls the “red-ball era.”
“I feel personally grateful that I was brought up in that red-ball era. It’s still there, but the T20 format is so prominent now. The volume of games is high, so the opportunity to bat long and go through different problem-solving elements in the game is not the same.”
Williamson pointed out that red-ball cricket tests players in ways shorter formats simply can’t. Batters are constantly problem-solving, adapting to changing conditions, and facing mental and physical challenges over five days.
“You are playing a game for five days. It challenges you in every aspect—your focus, patience, and temperament. You can get exposed in a big way in red-ball cricket. Conditions change a lot more, and you don’t get that level of test in white-ball games.”
Though the named players have yet to completely cement themselves across all formats—Ravindra is still evolving in Tests, Brook hasn’t found his footing in T20Is, and Gill is still finding consistency—the potential is undeniable.
As cricket evolves with the rise of T20 leagues and packed international calendars, identifying players who can excel in all three formats is becoming increasingly rare. But if this new group fulfills its promise, fans might just be witnessing the birth of the next true Fab Four.
