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'Things Have Changed': Ricky Ponting's Brutal Take On Virat Kohli's Fab Four Status

Soumyajit Dutta

Ricky Ponting ignores Virat Kohli, praises Steve Smith for Fab Four [Source: @Tanixcasm/X.com]Ricky Ponting ignores Virat Kohli, praises Steve Smith for Fab Four [Source: @Tanixcasm/X.com]

Ricky Ponting, the legendary former Australian captain, has stirred debate by omitting Virat Kohli from the modern-day Fab Four of Test cricket. While Kohli was once hailed as the torchbearer of his generation, Ponting believes the Indian stalwart’s recent decline has cost him a spot among the elite. 

The two-time World Cup-winning skipper acknowledged Kohli’s past supremacy but argued that the current dynamics of Test cricket have reshaped the hierarchy. Ponting’s remarks coincide with Steve Smith’s entry into the 10,000-run Test club, a milestone that further solidified the Australian’s credentials as one of the modern greats.  

Ricky Ponting Ignores Kohli, Prioritizes Smith To Lead The Pack

Ponting’s assessment hinges on cold, hard statistics and recent form. He emphasized that Root, Smith and Williamson's consistency and resurgence have distanced them from Virat Kohli, whose output has dwindled since 2020.  

“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 remained consistent,” Ponting told The Sydney Morning Herald.  

The debate resurfaced after Smith joined Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh as the fourth Australian to breach 10,000 Test runs during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Smith’s unbeaten 104 on Day 1 not only underscored his class but also propelled him to 35 Test centuries, one behind Root (36) and ahead of Williamson (33). Kohli, with 30 Test tons, now trails the trio.  

“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,” Ponting remarked. 

Ponting singled out Steve Smith’s overseas dominance, over 4,500 runs at an average of 54.60 in away Tests, as a defining factor.  

Ponting Points Out Root’s Resurgence And Kohli’s Decline  

Ponting highlighted Root’s remarkable turnaround as a key differentiator. Root’s consistency contrasts sharply with Kohli, who has managed just three Test centuries since 2020.  

“Joe was probably down near the bottom part of (the Fab Four) a few years ago because he hadn’t made the hundreds the other guys had. But he’s made 19 hundreds in the past four years,” he said. 

Till 2020, Kohli led the pack with 27 Test hundreds, ahead of Smith (26), Williamson (21), and Root (17). However, the former India captain’s lean patch has seen him slip behind. Meanwhile, Root’s 36 centuries and Smith’s 35 reflect their ability to thrive under pressure. 

“Is (Smith) the best player of his generation? It’s hard to argue against it. Joe Root is the other one now, and Williamson’s record is outstanding as well,” Ponting asserted.  

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is attempting to bounce back from a lean patch by returning to domestic cricket after a long 12-year hiatus. He is currently playing a match for his team, Delhi, against the Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. As he has yet to bat, the nation is eagerly anticipating his stellar comeback performance in this Test match.