Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and regaining the old peak

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, currently behind Joe Root and Kane Williamson in the Fab Four rankings, will be hungry and determined to bounce back in the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While both Kohli and Smith have scored a century each in the ongoing series, they have struggled to maintain consistency across the three matches.

The Indian maestro showcased his brilliance with a century in the second innings at Perth but faltered in the subsequent three innings, repeatedly falling to the same error—chasing deliveries outside the off-stump and getting caught behind. Shastri noted that while Williamson and Root have enjoyed a stellar run in 2024, with six and four Test centuries respectively, Kohli and Smith have managed just one each, both in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Shastri believes this inconsistency, coupled with competition from emerging players like Harry Brook, has momentarily pushed Kohli and Smith down the Fab Four hierarchy. Acknowledging the struggles, Shastri emphasised the hunger and resilience that make players like Kohli and Smith so dangerous. He pointed out that these champions thrive under pressure and often bounce back stronger when their form is questioned.