It is an emotional day for Indian fans as Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket after 14 years. The former India captain took to social media platform where he informed the fans about his decision. It is worth noting that the 36-year-old has become the first Fab 4 member to bow out of the traditional format of the game.
For the last decade and more the Fab 4, which comprises of Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, have dominated red-ball cricket. However, in the last few years, Virat has struggled to replicate his white-ball success, in red-ball cricket.
Talking about Virat's numbers in Test cricket, he has scored 417 runs in 10 innings. Further, Virat registered failures in Border Gavaskar Trophy, home series to New Zealand and only scored a solitary century last year, which prompted him to take retirement from this format.
While, Virat struggled in Tests, the other members of Fab 4 excelled in red-ball cricket and this article will look at how has the Fab 4 players performed recently and compare their stats with Virat.
1. Joe Root
Notably, Root is the best-performing player in Tests right now among the Fab Four and is also eyeing to break Sachin Tendulkar's record for most runs in the red-ball cricket. Talking about his numbers in 2024, then he was the leading-run getter of the year and scored 1556 runs in 17 matches, averaging 55.57. Lets Look at Root's stats for 2024.
Criteria
Data
Innings
31
Runs
1556
Average
55.57
50/100
5/6
2. Kane Williamson
Talking about Kane Williamson, then he too had a better year than Virat and crossed the 1000 runs mark in 2024 calendar year. Further, the New Zealand batter struggled in overseas condition, but was a force to be reckoned with in home conditions.
Thus, Williamson continues to be a key part of New Zealand's Test set-up despite giving up the captaincy duties. Further, his past year featured four three-figure scores and overall, Williamson had a year to celebrate. Let's look at his stats in Test cricket in 2024.
Criteria
Data
Innings
18
Runs
1013
Average
59.58
50/100
4/4
3. Steve Smith
Steve Smith didn't had a brilliant year with the bat in 2024 and similar to Virat, he too struggled to score runs. However, he returned to form in time and performed against India during the 2024 Border Gavaskar Trophy, where he smashed a century. Talking about Smith's numbers, he has scored just 490 runs in 17 innings, averaging 53.55. Further, Smith scored two centuries and a solitary fifty with the bat.
Let's look at Smith's stats in Test cricket in 2024.
Criteria
Data
Innings
17
Runs
490
Average
53.55
50/100
1/2
Comparing Fab Four's Stats In Test Cricket In 2024
Criteria
Virat Kohli
Steve Smith
Kane Williamson
Joe Root
Innings
10
17
18
31
Runs
417
490
1013
1556
Average
24.52
53.55
59.58
55.57
50/100
1/1
1/2
4/4
5/6
Looking at the stats of the fab four stars, then Kohli had the worst year among his peers and it looks like Steve Smith could be next in line, who might bid adieu to the game as he has already left ODIs.
Fab 4 - (Source : @Johns/X.com)
 "Abhinav Tyagi")
