New Zealand cricket great Kane Williamson hesitated a bit when he was asked about the 'Fab Four' that had ruled for about a decade. Williamson, how has done with his career with the national cricket team, hesitated to make a reply as he never thought anything about the topic.

The term "Fab Four" in modern cricket was first coined by former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe to put Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root in the same bracket. Crowe used the phrase in 2014 in one of his articles. Since then, 'fab four' has become a popular phrase among cricket fans whenever discussions revolve around Williamson, Kohli, Smith, and Root.

Kane Williamson expresses himself on Fab Four

Among the cricket fans across the globe, there has been a fierce rivalry to find out the best among the top four. Cricket fans and experts might have spent many hours picking the best, but Kane Williamson did not think too much about the Fab Four label and the comparisons.

While talking on the Stick to Cricket podcast the retired New Zealand batter during his days as an active national team player, he never had thoughts about it. But after his retirement, when he looked back on the days he passed, he found the comparison pretty unique.

I never thought anything about it: Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson, in his reply, expressed that all four batters -- Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Williamson himself -- have carried on their career with different approaches, representing different nations.

"I never thought anything about it, as in you'd hear it often because it would get sort of put in front of you, but in some ways, like now, finishing, it is quite unique," Williamson said.

"Not numbers in that, but to have quite parallel careers and actually get to know the other fellas. Everybody does it differently, representing their different respective countries," he added.

Kane Williamson on his personal relationship with Virat Kohli, Joe Root, and Steve Smith

The former cricketer expressed that before representing the senior cricket team, he played with Root, Virat and Smith as well when they were very young. But he had very limited conversations with Steve Smith in comparison to Virat Kohli and Joe Root. Instead of comparing the batters, Williamson would like to watch and admire every individual, as he did not consider any of them his rival.

"There was a moment in time where we competed against each other for so long. Played with Rooty at Yorkshire, Virat and I from Under-19s, and Smudge as well. It's just kind of quite unique, I think," he said.

"I mean, largely they're all quite different. Kind of spent quite a bit of time with Virat and Rooty, a little bit with Smudge over the years, but yeah, more so some than others. They're all different characters. I just loved watching them and how they went about it. Admired the way that they did it," Williamson added.

Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson! 🤩 Are 'The Fab Four' good mates off the field? 😅 https://t.co/9JdZqQrORo

— Stick to Cricket (@StickToCricket) November 10, 2026

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