Aakash Chopra believes that the renowned ‘Fab Four’ in Test cricket has now reduced to a ‘Fab Three’, considering the declining performance of Virat Kohli and potential contender David Warner since 2020.
Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson were considered the Fab Four for their remarkable record in Test cricket during the modern era. While the other three have maintained consistent performances in recent years, the former Indian captain’s numbers have witnessed a decline.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed his opinion that the Fab Four no longer exists, stating “Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson were definitely the Fab Four at one point. Even David Warner’s name was included in that list. We are referring to Test cricket, particularly the period between 2014 and 2019. However, we no longer have a Fab Four; we only have a Fab Three.”
The former Indian opener highlighted Kohli’s exceptional Test record from 2014 to 2019. “If we analyze Virat Kohli’s performances from 2014 to 2019, he played 62 matches and scored 5,695 runs at an average of 58.71, including 22 centuries. Kohli was unstoppable during that period. There was a home season where he scored four double centuries. He was absolutely brilliant.”
Chopra also mentioned that Warner was not far behind the Fab Four from 2014 to 2019. The Australian opener accumulated 5,196 runs in 57 matches at an average of 50.94 during that timeframe.
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However, Virat Kohli had not scored a Test century for more than three years until his 186-run knock against Australia. “Virat Kohli’s numbers have drastically declined. He has played 25 matches, scoring 1,277 runs, which is not up to his usual standards. His average is 29.69, and he has scored only one century overall, which came against Australia at the Ahmedabad ground.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator also observed that David Warner has not fared much better. “David Warner has played 23 matches, scoring 1,250 runs at an average of 32.89. He has two centuries in that period, including a significant one. As of now, I feel Warner and Kohli are not part of the Fab Four.”
Chopra believes that Babar Azam is not yet a member of the Fab Four in Test matches. While he believes Kohli can still make a comeback into that league, he expressed doubts about Warner’s ability to do the same, noting that the left-handed opener seems to be nearing the end of his Test career.