Ricky Ponting snubs Virat Kohli from Fab Four, sparks debate

Once the undisputed leader of India’s cricketing dynasty, Virat Kohli now finds himself a shadow of his former self, as his once-imperious form has faded. While the cricket world watches in surprise, one of his biggest rivals, Australia’s Steve Smith, is rewriting the record books and leaving Kohli behind in his dust.

Kohli’s sensational run in the past now feels like a distant memory. The 36-year-old, who once seemed unstoppable at the crease, has struggled to find his rhythm. While his peers — like Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson — continue to amass records, Kohli has watched from the sidelines, his once-dominant position slipping further away.

In fact, the drop in form has led to former Australian captain Ricky Ponting omitting Kohli from the exclusive Fab Four of modern Test cricket. While Ponting recognises Kohli’s undeniable talent, he now ranks Joe Root and Kane Williamson ahead of the Indian star.

Australian Steve Smith cemented his position in world cricket by reaching the 10,000-run mark on Wednesday, joining fellow Australians Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Waugh in the elite list. With 36 Test centuries, Smith is just one behind Joe Root, who has 37, and ahead of Kane Williamson, who has 33. Kohli, in comparison, trails at 30.

There was a time when Kohli scored centuries with ease and stayed ahead of the Fab Four. But that has not been the case in recent years, which has led former Australian captain Ponting to exclude Kohli from the list of the best Test batters of this generation.

“Is he [Smith] the best player of his generation? It’s hard to argue against it. Joe Root is the other one now, and [Kane] Williamson’s record is outstanding as well. Joe’s last couple of years have elevated him right back up there, I think,” Seven commentator Ponting said, as quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Five or six years ago, when this big four emerged, with [Virat] Kohli being one of those as well, Joe was probably down near the bottom part of that because he hadn’t made the hundreds the other guys had made. But he’s made 19 hundreds in the past four years,” he added.

Smith became the fifth-fastest player to reach the 10,000-run milestone, achieving the feat in 205 innings. He is only behind Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, and Ponting. While it’s common for players to rack up runs at home, Smith has proven himself to be an all-condition player. Almost half of his runs have come in overseas conditions, with an impressive average of 53.

In 57 overseas Tests, Smith has amassed 5,084 runs at an average of 53.51, including 17 centuries, 22 fifties, and a best score of 215.

“If you asked an Englishman, they’d say Joe Root; if you asked an Aussie, they’d say Steve Smith; and if you asked a Kiwi, they’d say Kane Williamson. So it’s a tough one, but on the numbers themselves, it’s pretty hard to argue against what he’s done,” Ponting said.

To get back to his scoring ways, Kohli has returned to the Indian domestic circuit after a 13-year absence. His presence has created a buzz among fans, who came out in large numbers to watch the star batter in action during Delhi's Ranji Trophy match against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Despite the setbacks, Kohli’s return to domestic cricket speaks volumes about his determination. The 36-year-old is not ready to fade quietly into the background. His quest to prove the doubters wrong continues, and only time will tell if the once-mighty Kohli can rise again and reclaim his place among the game’s elite.