For years, the term ‘Fab Four’ has been synonymous with Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and Joe Root, four modern batting greats who dominated international cricket across formats and established themselves among the finest of their generation.
However, with the quartet now entering the latter stages of their careers, and several having already stepped away from at least one format, attention has naturally shifted towards the players who could define the next era. Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has now named his own four candidates for the next generation of international cricket’s Fab Four.
Ajinkya Rahane reveals his picks for the current era
Rahane believes Indian ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill, England’s limited-overs skipper Harry Brook, New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and Sri Lanka’s opener Pathum Nissanka have the qualities required to form the next prominent batting quartet in international cricket.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Rahane explained that one of the biggest reasons behind his selections is their ability to contribute consistently across multiple formats. The former India batter added that all four have been playing three formats and performing consistently. He pointed out that Gill is currently focused on Test and ODI cricket rather than T20 internationals, while expressing hope that the India batter could eventually return to the shortest format.
“First one is Shubman Gill. Second for me is Harry Brook. Then Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand and Pathum Nissanka from Sri Lanka. I think these four players for me because all of them they play three formats. Shubman obviously is only playing Test and ODI cricket not T20 but hopefully play the third format as well but all of them, they’re playing three formats consistently and doing really well,” Rahane said.
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Why the quadruple deserve recognition?
Rahane’s Fab Four selections underline how international cricket is gradually moving towards a new generation of batting stars. Unlike the original quartet, whose careers were defined by years of sustained dominance, these four are still building their legacies.
Gill’s inclusion reflects the Indian batter’s growing importance in the national setup. He has already established himself across the longer formats and is being viewed as one of India’s key batting figures for the years ahead. His combination of technique, temperament and ability to score heavily makes him a natural candidate for such a discussion.
England’s Brook has similarly emerged as a major presence in international cricket. Known for his aggressive strokeplay, Brook has demonstrated the ability to influence games with his attacking approach while adapting to different formats.
Meanwhile, Rachin represents New Zealand’s next generation of multi-format talent. His left-handed batting and ability to contribute with the ball have made him a valuable all-round option, while his performances have steadily increased his stature in international cricket.
Sri Lanka’s Nissanka completes Rahane’s quartet. The opener has developed into an important component of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup and has shown the consistency required to operate across formats.
The common factor, according to Rahane, is their involvement across formats and their ability to perform consistently. While none can yet be expected to replicate the extraordinary careers of Kohli, Williamson, Smith and Root, their continued development could determine whether they eventually become the defining batters of the next international era.
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