In the ongoing debate over the greatest modern-era batsmen, renowned Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy has placed Virat Kohli at the bottom of the esteemed ‘Fab Four’ ranking. This group includes Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson—players who have significantly shaped contemporary cricket.
Healy, an eight-time World Cup winner, discussed her rankings on the ‘LiSTNR Sport’ podcast, attributing her decision to an analytical approach rather than raw talent alone. Despite acknowledging Kohli’s remarkable achievements and consistency, Healy ranked him fourth among the Fab Four.
“Based purely on numbers, I’d place Kohli fourth. However, in all other aspects, I rate him as the best,” Healy stated. She noted that Kohli’s impressive stats, given the high volume of cricket he plays and the intense pressure he faces, are exceptional. Nevertheless, her ranking considers statistical analysis where Kohli places fourth.
Healy’s ranking placed Joe Root in third, Steve Smith in second, and Kane Williamson at the top. She justified Williamson’s top spot by highlighting his pivotal role in New Zealand cricket, suggesting that his performance often single-handedly drives his team’s success. “Williamson has carried the whole New Zealand team, whereas Kohli has often had support from teammates like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja,” she explained.
Healy’s comments reflect a nuanced perspective on the Fab Four, recognizing the varied impacts these players have had on their respective teams. Kohli remains one of the most celebrated batsmen globally, but Healy’s analysis emphasizes the unique contributions and pressures faced by each player in this elite group.