Sydney Sixers have confirmed that Steve Smith has returned to the franchise for the upcoming Big Bash League season. The franchise announced the news on its official website on Monday. Smith had captained the Sixers to the inaugural BBL title and would join the franchise as a replacement player for one of the international recruits.

Also Read: Martin Guptill joins Melbourne Renegades for BBL 12

"One of the sport's all-time greats, Smith is set to return home after the Sixers struck a deal for him to join their squad as a replacement player, seeing the prolific run-scorer pull on magenta for the first time since BBL|09 when he was part of the title-winning team."

"The 33-year-old, who captained Australia in last week's Test match in Adelaide, will be formally named as a replacement player for one of the Sixer's international recruits when they depart in January, following the completion of Smith's international commitments," read the statement on the website.

"He's focused on the Test summer right now but once that is over, we will welcome him back with open arms," Henriques on Smith

Smith's longtime friend, Moises Henriques, commented on the news and said that the Australian star can be part of the franchise for as long as he wants.

"Steve Smith is a Sixer. He has been part of this club from the start, and he will be part of this club for as long as he wants to be. He has always known that the door is open to him playing with us again and we are really excited that our fans will get to see him in four matches in the latter half of the season, including two at the SCG."

Moises Henriques said

"He's focused on the Test summer right now but once that is over, we will welcome him back with open arms."

Read Also: Sydney Thunder rope in Fazalhaq Farooqi for BBL 12 as David Willey's replacement

The Sixers confirmed that Smith will be available for four regular matches in the season and potentially the finals if they qualify. However, the eye-catching fixture will be the Sydney Smash between the Sixers and Thunder, where Smith will lock horns with David Warner.

"Sixers fans will have the opportunity to see Smith in action for as many as four regular season matches – in addition, potentially, to finals – starting with the clash with the defending champion Perth Scorchers at the SCG on January 15, followed by fixtures against the Adelaide Strikers in Coffs Harbour two days later, the Sydney Smash at the SCG on January 21 and a trip to face the Hurricanes in Hobart on January 23," said Sixers in the statement on their website.

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The experienced batter will be returning to the league after a hiatus of almost 2 years where he last donned the magenta jersey in 2020 for four matches scoring 120 runs with one half-century.

Cricket, a sport loved by millions around the world, has witnessed the rise of several legendary players. In the modern era, four exceptional batsmen have stood out with their consistent brilliance, earning them the title of the “Fab Four players.” Their performances are often compared under the widely discussed Fab four Stats.

These iconic cricketers – Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith have set new benchmarks for batting excellence across formats. 

Virat Kohli recently announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier today (May 12) with a post on his official Instagram handle. He ended his 14-year illustrious career in the format.

In this article, we will take a closer look at their remarkable careers, comparing their updated statistics and achievements to understand what makes them the finest batsmen of the modern era in Test cricket. 

Also Read: Fav four in cricket: Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith overall stats

So, let's take a look at the statistics of the Fav Four in Test cricket.

Fav four in Test cricket | Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith

Test cricket, often considered the ultimate test of a player’s skill and temperament, has seen these four players shine brightly. Here’s how they stack up in the longest format.

Virat Kohli's peak in Test cricket arrived well before the likes of Joe Root and Kane Williamson. Steve Smith matched him toe to toe during that period, but the 12-month ban due to the sandpaper gate overshadowed his brilliance in the format. 

However, when we compare the numbers of Fab four in 2025, Kohli has fallen way behind his contemporaries. Root is at the peak of his powers in Test cricket in the last five years while Williamson has never really been out of form in the whites.

Smith has been on and off over the last couple of years, but his form has never been a concern for Australia in Tests. When it comes to runs, averages and centuries, Kohli ranks last among Fab four and a lot of it has to do with his downfall in the format since November 2019.

Also Read: Sachin vs Kohli: Stats Comparison in Test Cricket

Here is a comparison of Fav four in Test cricket.

Fav four in Test cricket | How Kohli finished in Tests compared to Fab four

It is certain that Virat Kohli, who was once untouchable in the debate of Fab Four, will remain at the bottom forever when compared to his contemporaries. Only if his form hadn't dropped after November 2019, the 36-year-old, today, has stepped down from the format with some unreal numbers.

If anyone has followed cricket casually over the last decade, they're likely familiar with four key names: former Indian captain Virat Kohli, batting genius Steve Smith, English great Joe Root, and New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer Kane Williamson.

They together are known as the 'Fab Four' in the modern era of cricket.

Each of them has set new benchmarks for performance, continually pushing one another to enhance their skills. These four batsmen have not only dominated the world of cricket but have also met the expectations of their respective nations.

In this article, we will examine the statistics of the Fab Four across all formats.

Fav Four in cricket: How many runs & centuries have they scored in International Cricket?

Virat Kohli has been the most prolific all-format batter among the fav-four. Kohli, till now in his 550 international games, has scored 27,599 runs with an outstanding average of 52.27. His record of 82 international centuries is only second to Sachin Tendulkar's 100 international centuries.

Read Also | Most ICC Trophies by any men's team

Joe Root comes in second among them with 20,724 runs so far for England across formats. However, undoubtedly, he has been the best test batter of his generation with 12972 test runs, which sets him as the highest test run scorer for England. Root has also scored 53 international hundreds, of which 36 came in tests only.

Read Also | Winners list of last 10 ICC Tournaments (men's)

Kane Williamson, New Zealand's highest runscorer in international cricket, comes at number three in terms of international runs among the fav four. The former Kiwi leader has scored 19,086 runs so far in his career at an average of 48.56. Kane is now only two short of reaching 50 international hundreds. 

Read Also | Most Test runs in 2024: Root, Jaiswal, Duckett and more

Aussie great Steven Smith comes at four with 17,165 runs at an average of 47.81. A late bloomer with the bat, Smith has been outstanding for Australia in tests and ODIs. Along with Root, Smith has also been one of the greatest test batters of this generation.

Here is a comparison of international stats of the fav four. 

Read Also: Most Wickets in Test Cricket

Fab Four in Cricket: Stats across different formats

Virat Kohli (IND)

Joe Root (ENG)

Kane Williamson (NZ)

Steven Smith (AUS)

Note: The article was initially written by Abishek Goswami and then got updated by Koushik Biswas

Mumbai Indians star batter Suryakumar Yadav broke Robin Uthappa's 11-year-old record and became the first player in history to score 11 consecutive 25+ scores. Quite remarkably, the Indian T20I captain has crossed the 25-run mark in all 11 matches that the five-time champions have played this year. He achieved this feat on Thursday by scoring 48*(23) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2025 match.

Let's take a look at the IPL records of most consecutive 25+ scores in IPL history.

Also Read: Most wins after 76 games as captain in IPL

IPL records | Most consecutive 25+ scores

5. Virat Kohli | 9 Matches

Virat Kohli played in every IPL season, scoring 9 consecutive 25+ scores from IPL 2024-25. The RCB veteran has been in fine form from 2024 season. Overall in T20s, Kohli has 100 half-centuries under his belt. He is also the highest run scorer in IPL history with 8447 runs to his name.

Earlier this season, Virat became the first-ever Indian batter to breach the 13,000-run mark in T20s during the encounter against Mumbai Indians. The former India captain became the fifth player overall to reach the landmark, behind Chris Gayle, Alex Hales, Shoaib Malik and Kieron Pollard.

4. Sai Sudharsan | 9 Matches

Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan played IPL from 2022 till date. He scored 9 consecutive 25+ scores from IPL 2024-25.

Talking about his IPL career, Sudharsan made his debut in the cash-rich league with Gujarat Titans, when the franchise was first introduced in 2022. He just got five matches in that season where amassed 145 runs along with one fifty with a strike rate of 127.19.

However, Sai Sudharsan continued for GT in IPL 2023 where he scored 362 runs in eight matches at an average of 51.71 and a strike rate of 141.41 hitting three fifties. He had his best season in IPL 2024 where he scored 527 runs in 12 matches, at an average of 47.91 and a strike rate of 141.29. He also scored two fifties in that season and went on smash his maiden IPL hundred.

3. Steve Smith | 9 Matches

Steve Smith played IPL from 2012 to 2021. He scored 9 consecutive 25+ scores from IPL 2016-18.

In a career spanning over a decade, Smith has racked up 2,485 runs from 103 IPL matches at an average of 34.51. His strike-rate in the league falls under 130. His tally includes a ton.

Smith has played for five franchises in the cash-rich league. He last played in the tournament in 2021, where he represented Delhi Capitals. Notably, Smith started his IPL journey with the now-defunct Pune Warriors India in 2012. He led the Rising Pune Supergiants to the IPL final in 2017, where they lost to Mumbai Indians.

2. Robin Uthappa | 10 Matches

Robin Uthappa played IPL from 2008 to 2022. He scored 10 consecutive 25+ scores in IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders in their title-winning campaign in 2014. Uthappa was also the highest run-scorer of the season.

He amassed 660 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 44.00. Uthappa also notched up five fifties and one century, with a highest score of *83 (not out) in that season. His performances in the IPL always kept him in high demand amongst the different IPL franchises.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Most 400 Plus Runs in an IPL Season

1. Suryakumar Yadav | 11* Matches

Suryakumar Yadav holds the IPL records of scoring most consecutive 25+ scores in IPL history. Surya scored 11 consecutive 25+ scores in IPL 2025 season.

In Match 50 of IPL 2025 against Rajasthan Royals, SKY smashed an unbeaten 48 off 23 balls to keep his purple patch going strong. And in the process, he etched his name at the very top of that list. He has passed 25 in every single game he has played this season. It’s a level of consistency that even legends struggle to maintain in a league this intense.

SKY isn’t just breaking records for fun. He is now also leading the Orange Cap race in IPL 2025 with 467 runs in 11 games at a stunning strike rate of 172.96, including three fifties.

Indian team's star batsman Virat Kohli scored a brilliant half-century in the match against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday. The former captain, who is in great form, became the first Indian to score 100 half-centuries in T20 cricket. 

The Indian stalwart entered the exclusive club, which solely featured David Warner as its sole member. The former Australia star boasts a staggering 108 half-centuries in the T20 format.

Also Read: Most Wickets in 1st Over of IPL

Let's take a look at the batters with most gifties in T20 cricket.

Most Fifties in T20 Cricket

5. Jos Buttler | 86

The England batter Jos Buttler has a fantastic record in the shortest format and has featured in franchise cricket all around the world. Buttler is a part of the Gujarat Titans side in the ongoing IPL season. He has so far played 440 matches in T20 cricket, scoring a total of 12,331 runs with 8 hundreds and the highest individual score of 124.

4. Chris Gayle | 88

The explosive West Indies batter Chris Gayle has played franchise cricket all around the world and has also featured a lot for the national side in the shortest format. Gayle has played 463 matches in T20 cricket, scoring a total of 14,562 runs with 22 centuries and the highest individual score 175*.

3. Babar Azam | 90

The Pakistan batter has not only played a lot of T20 cricket for the national side, but has also featured a lot in franchise cricket. Babar has so far played 311 matches in the format, scoring a total of 11,042 runs with 11 hundreds and the highest individual score of 122.

2. Virat Kohli | 100*

The India star batter Virat Kohli scored his 100th half-century in T20 cricket during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's clash against the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. Kohli has so far played 405 matches in the format, scoring a total of 13,134 runs with 9 centuries and the highest individual score of 122*.

Also Read: Most Fifties (and over) in IPL History

1. David Warner | 108

The former Australia batter David Warner has played a total of 400 matches in T20 cricket, scoring a massive 12,925 runs. Along with a humongous number of half-centuries, Warner also has 8 centuries under his name in the format with the highest individual score of 135*.

Australia started their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on a winning note as they chased down the highest successful chase in tournament history. Australia chased down England's 352-run target with 15 balls remaining in the match. Jos Inglish was the star of the show with his maiden ODI ton during the chase. 

Ben Duckett dismantled the Australian bowling lineup with a recurrent breaking 165, the highest score by a better in Champions Trophy history. But, Australia ensured they made the highest successful chase in ICC Men's ODI events. Here's everything you need to know from the England vs Australia ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match.

Smith decided to bowl keeping the dew in mind

Steve Smith won the toss and decided to field first keeping the dew in mind. Ben Dwarshuis dismissed Phil Salt early in the second over. Despite a flying start to the innings, Dwarshuis was able to send back Jamie Smith for 15 in the sixth over as England found them at 43/2 after 5.2 overs.

But, then it was the partnership between Ben Duckett and Joe Root that took them to a record-breaking score. They first accumulated well to get their first fifty from 48 balls while Ben Duckett completed his fifty off 49 balls.

Root and Duckett build a solid partnership for England

Joe Root did his part by completing his fifty from 56 balls as they reached the 100-run mark for the third wicket in 94 balls. But, post his fifty, Duckett changed his gear instantly and his skill against the Aussie spinners was a masterclass from the southpaw opener.

But, after Root was trapped in front of the wicket by Adam Zampa, Ben Duckett lost support from the other end and England missed out on maybe 10 or 15 runs at the end.

Duckett's 3rd ODI ton gave England the momentum

Duckett went on to get his 100 off 95 balls, his 3rd ODI ton. Then he changed to fifth gear alongside captain Jos Buttler. Although Buttler was caught in the deep by Nathan Ellis off Glenn Maxwell, Duckett continued his slog and soon reached 150 off 134 balls.

He was finally dismissed by Marnus Labuschagne on 165 off 143 balls. Archer added a quick 21 from 10 balls to take England's total to 351/8 in the first inning.

Australia got off a flyer but lost wickets early

Just like England, Australia got a quick start but lost two wickets early. Travis Head was dismissed on 6 off 5 by Jofra Archer in the 4th over while Steven Smith was dismissed by Mark Wood for 5 in the next over. But, then, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Short stitched a 95-run partnership to give others a platform to chase down the total.

With both Labushcagne and Short finding the gaps easily, they reached the 100-run mark in the 15th over and kept themselves in the chase. Meantime, Short reached his fifty in 47 balls but Marnus was outfoxed by Adil Rashid on 47 off 45 balls in the 20th over.

Though it looked a bit tough for the Aussies, who had not won a game in the ICC Champions Trophy in 16 years, they had batters with immense talent in the middle order.

Carey and Inglis steadied the ship

Jos Inglis, born in England, always had the game to win games for Australia, but needed to prove that now. Meantime, they had their most in-form batter in Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell to come as well.

Livingstone dismissed Short (63) with a sharp caught and bowled chance in the 23rd over and it was then the partnership between Inglis and Carey that took Australia near to home. For the 5th wicket, they put up 100 runs in just 78 balls while Inglis completed his fifty. Australia reached the 250-run mark in the 38th over and Carey also completed his fifty off 49 balls.

Maxwell and Inglis finished things off

However post Carey's (69) dismissal in the 42nd over, things could have gone either way but Glenn Maxwell made sure he made things easier for them. Inglis eased to his maiden ODI ton while Maxwell started hitting the ball powerplay from the other end.

In the end, it was a comfortable win for the Aussies as Inglis remained unbeaten on 120 from 86 balls while Maxwell was undefeated on 32 from 15 balls. All the English bowlers except for Adil Rashid went more than 6 runs an over and that made it hard for Jos Buttler to control the game.

Buttler accepted that the score was good from but the dew affected more than he had expected. "Both sides played well, credit to Australia. fantastic innings from Inglis. 350 is a pretty good score, but it was wet and the dew was a worry," Buttler said.

"The guys were outstanding. Matt Short played beautifully, Travis and I the only two to miss out," Australian captain Steve Smith said in the post-match presentation.