The fabulous four, or ‘Fab Four’ as they are more commonly known, was a term coined by Martin Crowe for a group of four player namely Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root. Arguably four of the greatest to ever grace the game, their class and skills have enraptured the entire world for more than a decade now. Over the year, the four have played some of the best innings in cricket across formats. All four are still going strong in their immaculate maturity. Here is a list of 10 classy innings played by the Fab Four.
1. Joe Root Vs South Africa
In a T20 game where 459 runs were scored in total, Root’s knock ensured that England pulled off the second-highest run chase in the history of T20 cricket. After a good start by Roy, England looked in trouble with four wickets down at 118. Root steadied the innings with a 30-ball 50 and took England to within 11 runs of the target, finishing on 83. It was an essential knock as it kept England’s hopes alive in the tournament.
2. Kane Williamson
Batting first, South Africa has set a competitive target of 242. Williamson held on to one end, scoring slowly and steadily as wickets kept falling off the other end. He brought up fifty off 72 balls, playing with caution. His knock ensured the scoreboard kept ticking as he got to his hundred off 137 deliveries. It was one of his most mature knocks as he made sure New Zealand got over the line.
3. Steve Smith Vs England, 2019
Coming into bat with his team in trouble, Smith showcased incredible grit and perseverance. Add to it the hostile audience as he had just served his ban of 12 ban, and the crowd made their feelings known about it. At eight wickets down for 122 runs, he single-handedly took Australia to 284, with a hard-earned 144 to his name. It was an incredible fightback and one of his best innings ever.
4. Virat Kohli Vs Sri Lanka, 2012
India needed to chase 321 in 37 overs to stay alive in the series. Sachin and Sehwag fell after giving a steady start to the innings. Kohli took over and stitched a partnership with Gambir and then Raina. After scoring fifty off 44 balls he changed gears and hit 83 in the next 42 balls, staying not out, and taking India over the line. His knock comprised 16 fours and two maximums.
5. Joe Root Vs India, 2021
Riding on a blistering form, Root came in to bat after England got a good start from Burns and Sibley. The Indian bowlers had no answer for what was to follow as Root batted for almost nine hours, hitting 16 fours and two maximums. He finished on 218, putting England in a commanding position to win the match. His knock showed his determination and class in what was a difficult wicket to bat on.
6. Kane Williamson Vs Pakistan, 2018
New Zealand was in a precarious situation with a score of 60/4 and still behind Pakistan's first-innings lead. The opposition’s spinners, Yasir Shah, and Bilal Asif were causing significant problems with their impressive ability to make the ball turn sharply. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds, Kane Williamson produced a remarkable Test innings, featuring 13 boundaries, his 139 not out not only prevented New Zealand from facing an early defeat but also positioned them firmly to win the Test, which they eventually achieved in an outstanding manner.
7. Steve Smith Vs India, 2020
With both the openers falling cheaply, Australia was in trouble as a low score looked on the cards. Out came Smith and stitched a partnership with Labuschagne and steadied the Australian innings. However, he got no support afterward and took Australia to an impressive 286 runs on a slow and testing wicket. His 131 which included 14 fours and a maximum made sure that the bowlers had enough to work with.
8. Virat Kohli Vs Australia, 2018
It was a proper Kohli masterclass on what was a nightmarish wicket for the batters. Wickets were falling on both sides without anyone scoring big runs. The ruthless Australian bowling lineup was fuelled by uneven bounce, seam movement, high pace, and ball turning from the rough. No one apart from Kohli looked set. He scored a classy 123 to ensure India stayed alive in the game.
9. Joe Root Vs Sri Lanka, 2014
England were in trouble with two wickets down for 35 runs when Joe Root came out to bat. Building a partnership with James Taylor, Root got his fifty off 64 balls. The wicket was dry, and it was a test against the Sri Lankan spinners. Root played a gritty knock and got to his century off 116 balls, which included just seven fours and a maximum. It was a testing innings, one where Root showed incredible class and character.
10. Virat Kohli Vs Pakistan, 2022
India was in trouble early on with four wickets down, chasing a competitive target of 160. Batting with Pandya, Kohli steadied the sinking ship amidst the ups and downs in the game. India needed 48 runs off the last three overs and Kohli took the game to Pakistan, staying unbeaten on 82 off 53 deliveries, which is considered as his best T20 knock by far by almost everyone.
