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Virat Kohli ranked second worst in Tests as Babar Azam rates fab four of cricket

Akshita Patel

Babar Azam rates Virat Kohli highly [Source: @CallMeSheri1_/X.com]Babar Azam rates Virat Kohli highly [Source: @CallMeSheri1_/X.com]

Babar Azam, Pakistan’s modern-day great, has shared his views on the Fab Four. The Pakistan star was asked to rank Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson in Tests and across all formats, and he made some interesting choices.

‘Fab Four’ is a term given to Kohli, Smith, Williamson and Root as four of the greatest cricketers to exist in the modern generation. Their consistency across all formats has been elite, which earned them their honour. 

Babar rates Virat Kohli above everyone in the Fab Four

Speaking to Code Sports, Babar Azam made it clear that when it comes to overall impact and consistency across formats, Virat Kohli stands above the rest in the Fab Four list. 

In his all-format ranking, Babar placed Kohli at numero uno, followed by Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root. 

This was a strong statement, especially given the long-running comparisons between Babar and Kohli by fans and former players.   

Kohli’s performance in white-ball cricket, especially in ODIs, is truly phenomenal. Despite his retirement from T20Is and Tests, he is still performing at his best in 50-over cricket.

He has over 14000 runs in the ODIs with a 58.45 average and 53 hundreds. Babar acknowledged this by calling Virat Kohli the greatest of his generation.

Why Virat Kohli was placed third in Tests?

While Babar Azam rated Virat Kohli number one across formats, his Test ranking raised eyebrows. He placed Steve Smith first, Joe Root second, and Kohli third. 

This does not mean disrespect, but rather a judgment based on recent and long-term red-ball performances. 

Steve Smith’s record, on the other hand, in Tests is outstanding. His ability to play long innings, along with his average of 56.05 and dominance in tough conditions, gives him the edge. 

Joe Root, too, has been England’s backbone in Test cricket for years, scoring heavily at home and away. Both have carried their teams through difficult phases. 

Virat Kohli, meanwhile, has had an incredible Test career but went through a lean patch in his later years before retiring from the format. 

Babar’s ranking seems based on pure red-ball numbers and impact over time. It is a cricketing opinion, not a personal one. In fact, Babar has always spoken highly of Kohli and often calls him an inspiration.

Babar Azam is having a hard time in the BBL

Currently, Babar Azam is playing for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL 2025-26 season, opening alongside Steve Smith. However, his debut season has been rough.

In eight games so far, he has scored just 154 runs at 25.66 average, including two half-centuries. As a result, the Sixers have dropped to the fifth spot in the points table.

Moreover, with the T20 World Cup 2026 in sight, Babar Azam’s form is a concerning sign for Pakistan. He is all set to be included in the squad. But if his form doesn’t improve, the men in green won’t hesitate to take harsh calls in the marquee event.