Over the years, word of the 'Fab Four' Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith And Joe Root Who are the four modern batting greats who ruled international cricket across all formats and earned their place among the best players of their generation.
However, with this quartet now entering the final stages of their careers, and many players having already retired from at least one format, the focus has naturally shifted towards the players who can define the next era. former indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane has now named its four candidates for the next generation of the Fab Four of international cricket.
Ajinkya Rahane reveals his picks for the current era
Rahane believes that the Indian ODI and Test captain Shubman GillEngland limited overs captain Harry BrookNew Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra And Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka Has the qualities required to form the next premier batting quartet in international cricket.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Rahane explained that one of the biggest reasons behind his selection is that these players have been able to contribute consistently across different formats. The former Indian batsman said that all four players are playing in three formats and are performing consistently. He also pointed out that Gill is currently focusing on Test and ODI cricket and not T20 Internationals, while he expressed hope that the Indian batsman can eventually return in the shortest format as well.
“The first is Shubman Gill. The second for me is Harry Brook. Then New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra and Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka. I think these four players are important for me because they play all three formats. Shubman is obviously only playing Test and ODI cricket and not T20, but hopefully he will play the third format as well, but has been playing consistently in all three formats and is doing really well,” Rahane said.
Why should this quartet be recognized?
Rahane's Fab Four selections show that international cricket is slowly moving towards a new generation of batting stars. Unlike the original quartet, whose careers were defined by years of sustained excellence, these four players are still building their legacies.
Gill's selection reflects the growing importance of the Indian batsman in the national setup. He has already made his mark in the longer formats and is being seen as one of India's leading batting figures for years to come. His technique, mentality and ability to score heavily make him a natural candidate for this discussion.
England's Brook has also emerged as a major presence in international cricket. Known for his aggressive strokeplay, Brook has shown the ability to impact games with his aggressive approach while adapting to different formats.
Rachin, meanwhile, represents New Zealand's next generation of multi-format talent. His left-handed batting and ability to contribute with the ball has made him a valuable all-round option, while his performances have gradually elevated his status in international cricket.
Sri Lanka's Nissanka Rahane completes the quartet. The opener has become an important part of Sri Lanka's batting line-up and has shown the consistency required to play across different formats.
According to Rahane, the common factor is their ability to engage and perform consistently across different formats. While no one can hope to duplicate the extraordinary careers of Kohli, Williamson, Smith and Root just yet, their continued development could determine whether they ultimately become the defining batsmen of the next international era.