Former India coach and all-rounder Ravi Shastri said that while Joe Root and Kane Williamson stand out in Test cricket this year, the other two members of the ‘Fab Four’ – Virat Kohli (Virat Kohli) and Steve Smith still believe it is “dangerous”. The reason why he says “I’m hungry” is because he hasn’t been able to consistently score big scores recently.
“I think they (Kohli and Smith) may have fallen down the pecking order with their current form because…Root is doing well, Williamson is doing well, Harry Brook has come on the scene and a lot of other young players are pushing through. They are putting it on, but these are class players,” Shastri said in a recent episode of ICC Review.
England’s Root had a great 2024, scoring 1556 runs at an average of 55.77 in 17 matches, including six centuries. Former New Zealand captain Williamson has also scored more than 1,000 runs this year, scoring 1,013 runs at an average of 59.58, including four centuries.
“In these circumstances, it will be dangerous because they (Kohli and Smith) are hungry,” Shastri thought.
Both Kohli and Smith are back in form in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy, where they have each scored a hundred. However, his overall Test figures this year are not up to the level of Root and Williamson.
Kohli has scored 376 runs in 9 games so far at an average of 25.06. Smith scored 337 runs in 8 games at an average of 28.08.
“I saw what was needed in Smith. He may have struggled early on (during his century knock in Brisbane) but he was ready to play the waiting game and be disciplined,” Shastri said.
“I think the same goes for Virat. If Virat gets past the first 30-40 minutes with serious application and discipline, I don’t think he is (out of shape). None of these guys are out of shape.”
Kohli began the Australian tour with a century (100 not out) in the second innings of the opening Test in Perth, which played a key role in India’s 295-run win. However, his remaining four knocks were 5, 7, 11 and 3.
Kohli and Smith are expected to play one more Test before the end of the year when India and Australia meet in a boxing-date Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
