
Two Indians, One Kiwi & One English Star: Kane Williamson Picks ‘Fab Four' Of Next Generation In World Cricket
The Legacy of the Original Fab Four
Virat Kohli (India): A modern great who revolutionized chasing in ODIs and brought intensity to Test cricket. Over 25,000 international runs across formats. Now retired from Tests and T20Is.
Steve Smith (Australia): The master of Test batting with a Bradmanesque average at one point. Known for his unorthodox technique and unshakable concentration. Recently retired from ODIs.
Joe Root (England): Elegant, classical, and dependable. Former England Test captain with over 11,000 Test runs. Still a vital cog in England's red-ball setup.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand): The quiet craftsman. Led New Zealand to the WTC 2021 title and remains their most consistent batter across formats.
Now all in their mid-30s, the cricketing world is gradually preparing for their eventual farewell. And while they continue to play at the highest level, the conversation about their successors has already begun.
Kane Williamson Picks the Next Fab Four
In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Williamson was asked:
"Who could be the four generational players across formats going forward?"
Williamson responded thoughtfully:
'The players that come to mind in terms of multi-format are: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rachin Ravindra, Harry Brook. And also Cam Green. Those are all outstanding players and have shown fantastic moments in all formats. All young, and their games are just growing.'
The Future Fab Four: Rising Multi-Format Stars
Yashasvi Jaiswal (India): Explosive, fearless, and technically gifted. Making waves in Tests and T20s with a bright future ahead.
Shubman Gill (India): The newly appointed Test captain, composed, stylish, and already a proven match-winner across formats.
Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand): A rare blend of solid technique and all-round skills. His calm demeanor and ability to adapt mirror Williamson himself.
Harry Brook (England): Aggressive and fearless, Brook has already made a mark with his stroke-play in red-ball and white-ball cricket.
Cameron Green (Australia): A powerful all-rounder with immense potential. Capable of winning games with both bat and ball.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Mint
13 hours ago
- Mint
Steve Harmison makes bold claim after India's loss to England; says 'Virat Kohli would have won the game comfortably…'
The Indian cricket team suffered a 22-run defeat in the third Test against England at Lord's during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison recently made a striking claim that India would have secured victory had Virat Kohli been in the lineup. India has displayed moments of dominance. However, despite their strong performance, England's ability to seize critical moments has given them a 2-1 lead in the ongoing five-match Test series. England's ability to create game-changing moments during crucial sessions has made the difference, leaving India trailing despite their statistical edge. In the third Test at Lord's, India faced a manageable target of 193 runs. Despite a promising start, the batting lineup struggled and was bundled out for 170, losing by a close margin of 22 runs. This defeat was more painful as India had controlled significant portions of the match. Steve Harmison believes Virat Kohli's presence could have altered the outcome. 'For me, India has to start believing. This is where the likes of Virat Kohli were unbelievable, he told ESPNcricinfo. "In a fourth innings chase, he goes and wins the game comfortably. He would have won that game comfortably at Lord's,' he added. 'India has scored more hundreds, more top-order runs, and more new ball wickets, but England has got a knack of finding a way to win,' Harmison noted. Virat Kohli, who announced his Test retirement earlier this year, has played a significant role in fourth-innings situations. With 1102 runs in 32 innings at an average of 42.38, including two centuries and seven half-centuries, he has consistently delivered under pressure. England's success in the series stems from their ability to seize crucial moments. Whether through a crucial bowling spell or a game-changing batting partnership, they have consistently found ways to shift momentum. Harmison highlighted this, stating, 'England has got a knack of finding a way to win. Finding a way of creating an event throughout a session to change the course of the game.' The fourth Test, scheduled to begin on July 23, 2025, at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, is a make-or-break moment for India. Trailing 2-1, they must win to keep the series alive heading into the final Test. The team, led by Shubman Gill, is determined to bounce back and replicate their Edgbaston heroics.


Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Indian Express
Steve Harmison on Virat Kohli: ‘He would have won that game comfortably at Lord's'
Virat Kohli's ability to calculate run-chases is computer-like. Assessing the conditions, picking the bowlers, and accordingly controlling the tempo of his own innings and dictating the pace of the overall innings is what makes him lethal. India chasing 193 runs on the final day at Lord's fell short by 22 runs in the end. Former England cricketer Steve Harmison said India missed someone like Kohli to navigate that chase. 'India has scored more hundreds, more top-order runs, and more new ball wickets, but England has got a knack of finding a way to win. Finding a way of creating an event throughout a session to change the course of the game,' Harmison said, speaking on ESPNcricinfo. 'For me, India has to start believing. This is where the likes of Virat Kohli were unbelievable. In a fourth innings chase, he goes and wins the game comfortably. He would have won that game comfortably at Lord's.' Another former cricketer, Nasser Hussain, also had a similar opinion. 'No Virat Kohli, he's retired, he was the king of run chases. India needs to find a new one that will see them over the line,' he said on Sky Sports. Ravindra Jadeja's innings during the final day at Lord's did divide opinions. India were reduced to 112/8 with the left-hander as the last recognized batter. He had to get the remainder of the runs with the support of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Both Bumrah and Siraj managed to stick with Jadeja for a while, defending bravely; however, the difference of opinion would be due to what kind of innings Jadeja should have played. He scored 181-ball 61 but a few experts were of the opinion that he should have batted quicker, and former Indian coach Greg Chappell too felt the same. 'The truth is, Jadeja was the only recognised batter left. If India were to chase down the target, he had to take calculated risks. His job wasn't to leave balls and collect singles – it was to win the match. That clarity should have come from the dressing room, from the captain. He needed to be told directly: 'You are the man who has to get this done. The tail's job is to hang in there with you, but you must go for the win,' Greg Chappell wrote in his column for ESPN Cricinfo.


News18
15 hours ago
- News18
Dhruv Jurel Set To Replace Rishabh Pant In Manchester? New Video Makes Big Reveal
Jurel has been India's second-choice keeper-batter ever since his Test debut last year against England at home. India are in Manchester, gearing up for the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, which begins July 23. The defeat at Lord's has put them in a precarious situation as they can't afford to lose any of the remaining Test matches. Moreover, the doubt looms over the participation of vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who has been nursing a finger injury. Pant injured his finger while keeping wickets in the first innings of the Lord's Test. He left the field and didn't put back the keeping gloves thereafter. Though he batted across innings and even got a fifty, Dhruv Jurel stepped in for him behind the stumps. Dhruv Jurel In Line The injury in the Lord's Test raised question marks over Pant's participation in the fourth Test. Meanwhile, on Sunday, Jurel worked intensively with fielding coach T Dilip. ESPN Cricinfo shared the video of the session, sparking further doubts over Pant's availability for the must-win game in Manchester later this week. However, if assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeshcate is to be believed, then Pant will be fit on time to don the keeping gloves again. Speaking to reporters in Manchester after India's first practice session on Thursday, Doeschate said that Pant will bat before the match, but the team management is being cautious with his finger injury. 'He will bat in Manchester before the Test. I don't think you're going to keep Rishabh out of the Test no matter what. He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third Test, and it's only going to get easier on his finger," Ten Doeschate said. 'Keeping is the last part of the process. We need to make sure that he can keep—we don't want to go through that again where we have to replace the keeper halfway through an inning," he added. Shastri Issues Warning Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has advised India against playing Rishabh Pant in the fourth Test if he can't keep wickets. 'I don't think he should go in as a specialist batter if he can't keep because he will have to field," Shastri said on the ICC review podcast. 'If he fields, that will be worse. With the gloves, at least there is some protection. Without gloves, if he gets something that stings in there, then it won't be very good. It'll only worsen the injury," he added. First Published: July 19, 2025, 19:48 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.