Fab Four Ranked by Babar Azam (Jan 2026)
In a rare and refreshingly analytical interview with Code Sports Australia on January 15, 2026, Pakistan’s batting icon Babar Azam stepped away from the crease and into the analyst’s chair.
Often discussed as a potential fifth member of the famed “Fab Four”, Babar instead offered a clear, format-by-format ranking of the modern era’s elite batters: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson.
What made the assessment stand out was its technical honesty. Babar did not rely on reputation or hype; his rankings were grounded in numbers, match impact, and format-specific demands.
All-Format Rankings: The King of Consistency
When judging the Fab Four on overall impact across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, Babar’s verdict was unequivocal.
Babar Azam’s All-Format “Fab Four” Ranking
- Virat Kohli (India)
- Described by Babar as “the greatest of his generation”
- Praised for unmatched chasing ability and pressure-handling
- Dominance in white-ball cricket remains unparalleled
- Steve Smith (Australia)
- Ranked second due to extraordinary adaptability
- Proven success in Asia, England, Australia, and high-pressure series
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
- Applauded for composure, balance, and long-term consistency
- A player Babar repeatedly highlighted for temperament
- Joe Root (England)
- Despite prolific run-scoring, placed fourth in the combined list
Why Kohli Topped the All-Format List
Babar’s reasoning centered on white-ball dominance. With 14,000+ ODI runs and an unmatched record in high-pressure chases, Kohli’s ability to deliver when it matters most set him apart.
Test Match Rankings: Red-Ball Cricket Has a Different King
When the focus shifted exclusively to Test cricket, Babar made it clear that the longest format demands superior patience, technique, and adaptability. The rankings changed dramatically.
Babar Azam’s Test “Fab Four” Ranking
- Steve Smith (Australia)
- Called the “ultimate purist’s nightmare”
- Babar praised Smith’s unorthodox technique and relentless consistency
- Widely regarded as the finest Test batter of his era
- Joe Root (England)
- Elevated to second place
- Recognition of his remarkable surge over the past 24 months
- Often England’s lone pillar in collapsing batting line-ups
- Virat Kohli (India)
- Dropped to third in Tests
- Babar candidly noted a dip in red-ball output compared to Kohli’s peak years
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
- Fourth, though still acknowledged as technically elite
What This Says About Modern Test Cricket
Babar’s Test rankings underline a crucial point: Test greatness is judged differently. While Kohli’s aura remains immense, Smith’s ability to dominate bowlers across conditions gives him the edge in red-ball cricket.
Technical Analysis: What Babar’s Rankings Really Reveal
The “Kohli Factor”
Babar’s willingness to place Virat Kohli above everyone else in all-format cricket, even above himself in white-ball discussions, reflects:
- Mutual respect between two generational icons
- Recognition beyond the India–Pakistan rivalry
- Acknowledgment of Kohli’s mental strength and legacy
The “Root Renaissance”
Joe Root’s rise in the Test rankings highlights his evolution into:
- England’s most dependable run-scorer
- A batter capable of carrying the middle order single-handedly
- A modern example of adaptability in difficult conditions
Format Matters
Babar explicitly clarified that:
“These rankings are based on pure numbers and match-winning impact.”
His analysis reinforces the idea that a player can dominate one format while being slightly less influential in another, without diminishing overall greatness.
Comparative Snapshot: Fab Four Stats (As of January 2026)
| Player | Test Matches | ODI Runs | Test Average | ODI Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 123 | 14,673 | 46.85 | 53 |
| Steve Smith | 123 | 5,800 | 53.90 | 12 |
| Joe Root | 163 | 7,730 | 51.07 | 16 |
| Kane Williamson | 108 | 7,256 | 51.98 | 19 |
These numbers contextualize Babar’s rankings, especially Smith’s exceptional Test average and Kohli’s ODI supremacy.
Did You Know?
Babar Azam is currently featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL 15), making his debut season for the Sydney Sixers.
He recently produced a match-winning 58* against the Melbourne Renegades on New Year’s Day, further underlining his adaptability across global leagues.
Final Verdict
Babar Azam’s Fab Four rankings offer one of the most balanced, technically grounded evaluations of modern batting greatness. Free from bias and rooted in performance, his analysis reinforces three truths:
- Virat Kohli remains the all-format benchmark
- Steve Smith is the undisputed Test specialist
- Joe Root and Kane Williamson continue to define consistency and class
