Who leads the Fab 4? Babar Azam ranks Kohli, Smith, Root and Williamson across all formats and Test cricket

In a recent, high-profile exclusive for Code Sports Australiarenowned cricket writer Daniel Cherny delved into the mind of the Pakistani batting maestro, Babar Azam. In a rare moment of candid self-reflection and peer analysis, Babar stepped away from his own accolades to adopt the traditional ‘fantastic four’ (Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson And Joe Root). His selections, categorized by format, provide unique insight into how one of the greatest technicians of the modern era views the technical superiority and match-winning impact of his contemporaries.

Babar Azam ranks Kohli, Smith, Root and Williamson: Who will come out on top in all formats, especially Test cricket?

Babar’s rankings show a clear distinction between white-ball dominance and red-ball mastery. By posting Virat Kohli At the top of the all-format list, he recognized the Indian veteran’s unparalleled ability to manipulate chases in all conditions. Conversely, his Test rankings were crowned Steve Smith like the nightmare of the ultimate purist, but at the same time remarkably uplifting Joe Root to second place, a nod to the Englishman’s prolific points-scoring over the past 24 months.

1. Ranking for all formats:

1. Virat Kohli (India)
2. Steve Smith (Australia)
3. Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
4. Joe Root (England)

.@babarazam258reveals its Big Four rankings across all formats@codesportsau.

1. Virat Kohli
2.Steve Smith
3. Kane Williamson
4. Joe Carrot

+ The Pakistani superstar’s ideas for rule/calendar changes, his long-term goals and his problem with SCG.https://t.co/01OpeKDUhy ⁩ pic.twitter.com/gH1epIlkTY

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) January 15, 2026

2. Test Match Ranking:

1. Steve Smith (Australia)
2. Joe Root (England)
3. Virat Kohli (India)
4. Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

READ also: Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid reveal their picks for cricket’s next Fab 4

Babar’s form: International battle and BBL debut for Sydney Sixers

While Babar’s expert analysis is incisive, his own form on the pitch heading into early 2026 has been the subject of intense scrutiny. After a grueling 2025 in which he amassed 1,065 international runs, a figure that reflects his heavy workload but also a dip in elite efficiency (average 34.3 in T20Is and 31.5 in Tests), Babar faced questions about his strike rate and impact on big matches. His recent century against Sri Lanka in November 2025 was a much-needed drought-breaker, but his test average has hovered around a modest 24.75 for the past two years.

His long-awaited first stint in the Big Bash League (BBL 15) with the Sydney Sixers has proven to be a trial by fire. Playing the bouncy circuits of Australia, Babar struggles to find his signature rhythm:

• BBL performance (2025/26): In his first eight appearances he scored just 154 runs with a disappointing strike rate of 104.05.
• Flash of brilliance: His peak occurred on New Year’s Day 2026, where he anchored a chase with an undefeated 58 (46)* against the Renegades from Melbourne.

Also READ: Statistical comparison of Fab 4 centuries in Test cricket since 2021 ft. Virat Kohli