Former Indian cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri spoke out on the performances of cricket's legendary "Fab Four"—Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson.
Shastri dug into the ups and downs of these players in the game's longest format and how Kohli and Smith have remained dangerous opponents with a never-say-die attitude and hunger.
While Root and Williamson have had the most phenomenal 2024, which has seen them score six and four Test centuries respectively, Kohli and Smith managed only one each—that as well during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Root's run specially has cemented his status as one of the best consistent batters in modern cricket, while Williamson continues to exude elegance and composure at the crease.
“I think they (Kohli and Smith) will have slipped down the ranks on the current form because you know you’ve got the likes of Root taking off, there’s Williamson doing well, Harry Brook has come onto the scene, you know there are a lot of other young players pushing but these are class players,” Shastri told The ICC Review.
"In this scenario, you are well aware they would be the dangerous ones since they would hungry," he said.
At the other end, however, Kohli and Smith have not been easy; they found themselves outgunned by young guns Harry Brook. But both experience campaigners did remind the world why they still rank among the best when flashes of brilliance did happen.
Shastri spoke about the resolute Smith, who could play his determined innings in the Gabba against India and score his 33rd Test century.
"That is what was required that you saw from Smith. It might have been a grind early on but he was ready to play the waiting game and be disciplined," Shastri said.
Shastri remains confident that Kohli, too, has the ability to regain his peak form. According to Shastri, Kohli's form isn't the issue; instead, it's about surviving the critical early phase of his innings.
"I think the same with Virat," Shastri added. "If Virat gets over that first 30, 40 minutes, with serious application and discipline, I don't think he's (out of form), none of these guys are out of form."
For Shastri, the hunger to succeed even during the lean patches is what distinguishes great players from the rest.
He feels both Kohli and Smith possess the mental toughness to navigate through tough spells and emerge again to dominate the game.
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