Ricky Ponting Excludes Virat Kohli from the ‘Fab Four’

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has excluded Virat Kohli from the modern “Fab Four” of Test cricket. Once regarded as the leading batter of his generation, Kohli’s recent decline has led Ponting to rank Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith ahead of him.

Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, acknowledged Kohli’s past dominance but stated that his recent form no longer justifies a place among the elite.

“Five or six years ago, the Fab Four included Kohli, Root, Williamson, and Smith. But things have changed. Joe Root has made 19 hundreds in the past four years, while Smith and Williamson have stayed consistent,” Ponting said, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.

“If you ask an Englishman, they’ll say Root; if you ask an Aussie, they’ll say Smith; and if you ask a Kiwi, they’ll say Williamson. Based on numbers alone, it’s hard to argue against Smith’s achievements,” he added.

Ponting’s comments come after Steve Smith reached the 10,000-run milestone in Test cricket, joining Australian legends Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh.

With 35 Test centuries, Smith is now just one behind Joe Root (36) and ahead of Kane Williamson (33), while Kohli trails with 30. Smith has also excelled in overseas conditions, amassing over 4,500 runs at an average of 54.60 in away Tests.

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