The "Fab Four". If you have followed Test match cricket even casually in the last decade, there is every chance that you would rattle out the four names even before it is mentioned in this piece. Indian skipper Virat Kohli, batting Genius Steve Smith, England captain Joe Root and New Zealand maestro Kane Williamson form an illustrious quartet of willow wielders of the modern era.

In this article, the main focus will be on Joe Root, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. However, Root has the lowest average among the Fab Four. Also, Root has scored the least number of hundreds among the four batsmen as well, in spite of featuring in the most number of innings. Well sportzpoint.com has come with all the stats of the "Fab Four". Let's take a look at the Fab Four's Home & Away Matches records in Test Cricket.

Read Also : Highest batting average as captain in tests in England

#1. Steve Smith | Australia

Steve Smith made his test debut at Lords in July 2010. He comes at no 1 spot in our list of "Fab Four" He was playing both Tests against Pakistan in the 2010 Test series played in England. Despite having a terrific First-Class batting record, he was primarily selected for his bowling. In that test match series, he scored a solid 77 in the last of his four innings after failing to capitalise in the other innings.

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2013 saw Australia and England lock horns twice for the coveted Ashes trophy. Steve Smith played all ten matches throughout the two series and this was just the beginning of something very big in Australian cricket. He scored a 50 in the first game itself. After a forgettable Lord's test, he piled up 89 runs in the Manchester test. The last match of the series saw Smith score his first test century. He scored 138 not out at The Kia Oval. Australia lost that series 3-0 while Smith managed to score 345 runs at a decent average of 38.

The Ashes 2014/15 :

Smith failed to make an impact in the first two test matches in 2013/14 Ashes. But the selectors showed faith in him. Then came the Perth test and Smith's first century in home soil. This knock is very significant in Smith's career as he had admitted how he changed his technique mid-game to face the bouncers and end up scoring a ton. Smith also scored a century in the Sydney test. However, he finished the series with 327 runs at an average above 40 as Australia regained the Ashes after winning 5-0.

Smith started with a 162* and 52* in the first test which Australia went on to win by 60 runs on a dramatic day 5. In the next few games, Smith made a mockery of the Indian bowling attack. Scores of 133&28, 192 & 14 and 117 & 71 flourished throughout the series and Smith piled up 769 runs at an average of 128, a couple of man of the match awards and of course the player of the series as well. Australia won the series 2-0 and regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He also led the test team after Michael Clarke's injury in the 1st test.

Home Test Match stats :

Also Read : Most Wickets In Test Cricket : James Anderson

AWAY / NEUTRAL VENUE :

Steve Smith's challenge was South Africa and he made an impact in his very first innings. Australia was four down for 98 in Centurion when Smith stitched up a massive partnership with Shaun Marsh and departed after scoring a 100 against a ferocious South African bowling trio. He even scored 80 odd in the series decider and Australia won both the matches. He scored 269 runs at an average of about 67 in the series helping his team win 2-1. In October 2014, Australia faced Pakistan in the UAE. After a brilliant ODI series, Smith performed decently in the tests. Australia lost the test series 2-0 while Smith scored 174 runs in 4 innings. His 97 in the 4th innings of the game suggested how good a player of spin he is.

The Caribbean Tour :

Australia toured the Caribbean for a two-match test series in June 2015. Smith scored 25 and 5* batting at number three in the first test. The second test saw Smith accumulate scores of 199 & 54*. The next best score in the first innings was mere 47 runs while Smith almost touched the double century mark. Australia won the series 2-0. After this series, Smith became the number 1 ranked test batsman.

The England Tour :

Australia then toured England for the much-awaited Ashes series. Smith dropped scores of 33 in each innings of the first match and England won the game comfortably. After missing out on a double century in Sabina Park, Smith scored his first double hundred at the Home of Cricket. He backed it with a 58 in the next innings as Australia levelled the series. The next couple of games were forgettable for Smith as he got out in single digits and England went 3-1 up in the series. However, in the final match of the series, he scored 143 at The Kia Oval helping Australia win the match and finish the series at 2-3. He top-scored in the series yet again with 508 runs in 9 innings. After The Ashes, he became the captain of Australia.

Away Test Match stats :

He was named The Test Cricketer of Decade 2010s on 28th December 2020.

#2. Kane Williamson | New Zealand

The Kiwi batsman Kane Williamson's Test debut was back on November 2010 against India. He comes in our list of Fab Four. However, Kane Williamson started his Test journey with a superb century against India at Ahmedabad. For a 20 year-old New Zealander unfamiliar with the conditions, he tackled Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha with ease. He faced 299 balls in his debut innings, the most by any player in that Test.

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Kiwi Skipper Kane Williamson is one of the greatest Kiwi batsman in this format of the game. However, his Home average is not surprisingly way better than his away average. Williamson was in incredible form in 2020, registering three tons in three Test matches, including his highest individual score of 251 against West Indies.

 The New Zealand captain accumulated 736 runs in seven innings while Kohli amassed 116 runs in six innings. On the other hand, Smith accumulated just 73 runs in five innings. The former Australian skipper, however, ended his run-drought after he slammed his 27th Test ton in the first innings of the third Test against India and followed it up with a half-century later on in 2021.

Home Test Match stats :

AWAY / NEUTRAL VENUE :

Williamson is technically adept, has a massive appetite for runs and possesses zen-like concentration abilities. Over the past decade, he has emerged as one of the best batters in the world. Currently the top-ranked Test batter with 895 points in the ICC Batting Rankings, he is four points clear of the incredible Steve Smith. However, the hallmark of a truly complete modern great is the ability to master all the varied conditions.

Glancing at the overall stats, Williamson averages 65.31 at home and 44.55 overseas. These are excellent numbers for any batsman. But the totality doesn't talk about the dip in recent years. But Williamson has struggled with consistency away from home since the tour of India in 2016-17.

Away Test Match stats :

#3. Virat Kohli | India

Read Also : Decoding Virat Kohli's test career in each year

Arguably, the best player in the world Virat Kohli has captained a total of 64* matches till now. At 32, Kohli is already India's most successful captain in Test cricket with 37 wins. Virat comes in one of the Fab Four of Cricket. Virat is a class apart from others when it comes to batting. Kohli has already scored 20 tons as a captain in tests which is the second-highest in the world and still has many years of his game left. However, Kohli has played with an average of 47.80 in England as a Captain in Test cricket.

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Virat Kohli is a household name in world cricket. However, be it Test or Odis or T20s Virat Kohli is a master in all of the format. He has already scored 27 tons in test cricket in which 13 of them came in home. He has played with an average of 64.31 in home Test's. Kohli scored a total of 3730 runs in home with a personal best of 254*.

Home Test Match stats :

AWAY / NEUTRAL VENUE :

Virat Kohli has played a total of 94 innings in away from home. However, he smashes total of 3941 runs in those innings with an average of 42.84. Also he scored 14 tons in these away matches with a highest score of 200. Although Virat scored his first ton in England in 2018 against England. He has also a decent average in all over SENA countries.

Away Test Match stats :

#4. Joe Root | England

England Test Skipper Joe Root makes his debut for England in 2012. However, Root comes at no four in out "Fab Four" list of cricket. Since making his debut, he has hit 38 centuries across formats. He is already became a Legend of the Test format. Joe Root completed 9000 Test runs for England on 13th August during the ongoing second Test against India. With that, he became only the second English player to reach the landmark after Alastair Cook.

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Joe Root is one of the most talented modern era's batsman specially in Test format. Although, he has played a total of 103 innings at home venues. Root also scores 4952 runs with an average of 52.68 at home. However, the English skipper has smashes 14 tons in his backyard with a highest score of 254 runs.

Home Test Match stats :

Also Read : Most Test Wickets by Indian Pacers in 2021

AWAY / NEUTRAL VENUE :

English Skipper Joe Root is also a great batsman in neutral venues and away venues. However, he smashes a total of 4269 runs with an average of 47.97 In away test venues. Root also scored 9 tons with a highest score of 228 runs.

Away Test Match stats :

N.B : The stats are accurate as of 31/08/2021.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is cricket’s global governing body, overseeing various prestigious tournaments. These include the ICC Cricket World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and the World Test Championship. The ICC tournaments are considered the most prestigious in cricket, and players strive to lift the trophies.

India have always had the services of the best players. And thanks to them, India have been a consistent force in world cricket. The same consistency is visible in the ICC tournaments. This has helped the Indian team win seven ICC trophies over the years. A few players have been part of several of these victorious campaigns.

Also Read: Most Centuries in World Cup History

So, let's take a look at the Indian Cricketers with Most ICC Titles.

Indian Cricketers with Most ICC Titles

6. Harbhajan Singh | 3 Titles

• 2002 Champions Trophy (shared with Sri Lanka)
• 2007 T20 World Cup
• 2011 Cricket World Cup

Having started his career in 1998, Harbhajan Singh is one of the few Indian cricketers to have won all three ICC white-ball titles. 

He was part of India's 2002 ICC Champions Trophy title-winning campaign, where they were joint winners with Sri Lanka. Five years later, he played a key role in India's triumph in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup, in 2007. He was also a part of India's 2011 ODI World Cup winning squad.

5. Yuvraj Singh | 3 Titles

• 2002 Champions Trophy (shared with Sri Lanka)
• 2007 T20 World Cup
• 2011 Cricket World Cup

One of India's greatest all-rounders, Yuvraj Singh has also won all three ICC white-ball tournaments. He was part of the teams that won the 2002 Champions Trophy, 2007 T20 World Cup, and 2011 ODI World Cup.

In the 2011 ODI World Cup, Yuvraj was the Player of the Tournament for his stellar all-round performance. He made history in the 2007 T20I World Cup by hitting six sixes in an over against England.

4. Ravindra Jadeja | 3 Titles

• 2013 Champions Trophy
• 2024 T20 World Cup
• 2025 Champions Trophy

After India lifted the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai, Ravindra Jadeja went level with Dhoni. The star all-rounder now has three ICC trophies.

Before the latest win, Jadeja was part of another Champions Trophy victory in 2013. He picked up the most wickets in that tournament to win the Golden Ball. Fast forward to 11 years, and Jadeja found himself in the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad. After this, he retired from T20I cricket.

3. MS Dhoni | 3 Titles

• 2007 T20 World Cup
• 2011 Cricket World Cup
• 2013 Champions Trophy

MS Dhoni was the first Indian player to win three ICC trophies. Interestingly, he won all three of them as skipper. Under Dhoni’s leadership, India had a successful run in limited-overs. And he showed a glimpse of his tactical acumen early in his captaincy stint.

Captain Cool guided a young team to the inaugural T20 World Cup victory in 2007. Then he followed it with the ODI World Cup triumph in 2011. And Dhoni completed the ICC ODI tournament trophy with the Champions Trophy win in 2013.

2. Rohit Sharma | 4 Titles

• 2007 T20 World Cup
• 2013 Champions Trophy
• 2024 T20 World Cup
• 2025 Champions Trophy

Rohit Sharma is level with Kohli when it comes to ICC trophy victories. The current Indian captain has won two of the four titles while leading the Indian team. Before that, he was part of the Indian team that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. 

Then, alongside Kohli, he took India to the Champions Trophy victory in 2013. Rohit repeated the feat in 2024 and 2025, but this time as a captain. He guided the Men in Blue to the T20 World Cup win in 2024, followed by the Champions Trophy triumph in 2025.

Also Read: Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar – Test Stats Compared: Can Root break Sachin's record

1. Virat Kohli | 4 Titles

• 2011 Cricket World Cup
• 2013 Champions Trophy
• 2024 T20 World Cup
• 2025 Champions Trophy

Virat Kohli has been a proven match-winner for India. And the same is true when it comes to ICC events. The top-order batter hardly fails to perform in these high-stakes tournaments. He has powered the team to many wins, including four ICC title victories.

Kohli managed to land his hands on an ICC trophy for the first time in 2011. He was part of the 2011 World Cup squad that defeated Sri Lanka in the final at home. Two years later, he was on the podium yet again as India won the Champions Trophy in England. But then Kohli had to endure a decade’s wait to add the third title. He helped India win the T20 World Cup in 2024 before clinching his fourth silverware in 2025 as India landed the Champions Trophy.

The ICC men’s ODI World Cup has witnessed some of the greatest batters exhibiting their best in the quest for world glory. The World Cup is watched by millions of viewers across the globe, all thanks to the incredibly entertaining cricket action.

World Cup allows players to display their talents to the fullest, but oftentimes, players perform at a whole other level. Teams have exceeded 400 runs on the scorecard, batsmen have hit double centuries, and bowlers have dismissed entire teams for double-digit totals.

The World Cup has seen its share of highs and lows, but today, we take a look at the individual record for most centuries. So, let's take a look at the batters with most centuries in World Cup history.

Also Read: Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century

Most Centuries in World Cup

6. Ricky Ponting | 5

Ricky Ponting also scored 5 centuries in World Cup history. In a glorious career spanning 46 World Cup matches between 1996 and 2011, he notched 1,743 runs.

His best score during this period was 140 not out. Under ponting's leadership, Australia bagged three World Cup titles.

5. Virat Kohli | 5

Virat Kohli has scored five centuries in World Cups across 36 innings. He played his first ever ODI World Cup in 2011 and has been a part of every squad that played the following World Cups.

In 2011, on his World Cup debut, Kohli scored a century. His next century came in 2015 against Pakistan. But it was in the 2023 World Cup that Kohli was at his absolute best, scoring three centuries. He is overall the second-highest run scorer in World Cups, with 1795 runs.

4. Kumar Sangakkara | 5

Kumar Sangakkara is the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in ODI cricket history. Not just that, he has also scored the most centuries by a Sri Lankan player at the World Cup.

In 37 World Cup matches, Sangakkara scored five centuries, which were a part of the 1532 runs he scored in World Cups at an average of 56.74.

3. Sachin Tendulkar | 6

There is nearly no World Cup batting record of which Sachin Tendulkar is not a part. Tendulkar, who played six World Cups in his career, smashed six centuries in 44 innings. Sachin is also the top run-scorer in World Cup history, having amassed 2278 runs in 45 matches.

2011, when India broke their 28-year losing streak, was Sachin’s last World Cup. He also holds the record for the most fifties in World Cup history, with a total of 15 of them.

2. David Warner | 6

Australia’s destructive opening batsman David Warner comes second on this list. Warner has played every World Cup starting from the 2015 edition, and has scored six centuries in 29 innings. Two of these centuries came in the 2023 World Cup in India.

Overall from 2015 to 2023, he has scored 1527 runs in 29 games. His top score is 178 runs which came in the 2015 World Cup clash against Afghanistan. 

Also Read: Most Test Wins by a Team since 2010

1. Rohit Sharma | 7

Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma tops the list of most centuries in World Cup history. Rohit has scored a total of 7 centuries in World Cup history so far.

In a brilliant performance during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, Rohit Sharma shattered his 7th century against Afghanistan. Rohit has scored 1575 runs in 28 innings from 2015 to 2023, in which his best score has been 140 runs.

One is called the God of Cricket, and the other is perhaps the greatest test batter of his generation. Both Sachin Tendulkar and Joe Root have contributed to test cricket in their own way.

Since Root started his incredible run with the bat in 2021, everyone started the Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar comparison in test cricket. Some even suggested that the former English captain might even break Sachin Tendulkar's test record as well. 

Before India take on England in another mouthwatering five-test match series, we will try to analyse whose test career is better. Is it Joe Root or Sachin Tendulkar? Who is better in test cricket? 

Sachin Tendulkar in test cricket - in numbers

Even before we get into comparing the players, we need to get the numbers right. 

Sachin, the highest run-getter in test and international cricket, scored 15921 test runs in a record 200 test matches. The Indian legend averaged 53.78 and also scored 51 test tons, which is also a record. 

Read Also | 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium

Debuted at the age of 16, soon, Sachin soon became the then second youngest ever test centurion at the age of 17 years 107 days old. Sachin created that record when he smashed an unbeaten 119 against England in Manchester in 1990. 

He is still the youngest Indian to score an international ton. 

Other records Sachin has in his test career: 

• Most fours in test cricket (2058)
• Most fifties in test cricket (119)
• Fastest to 10000, 13000, 14000, 15000 test runs
• The only batter to surpass the mark of 14000 and 15000 test runs
• 3rd most test innings without a duck (91)
• 2nd most test hundreds in a calendar year (7 in 2010)

Read Also | The Most Memorable Test Centuries in Cricket History

Joe Root in test cricket - in numbers

Part of the modern fav-four in cricket, Joe Root debuted in 2012 against India and announced himself with a gritty 73 from 229 balls.

In his sixth test, he scored his first test hundred against New Zealand and then two tests later, he smashed a 180 against the Aussies at Lord's. 

With 13006, he is the fifth-highest run scorer in test cricket history. He is the highest international and test scorer for England. Moreover, he is also the batter with the most test tons and runs among active batters in world cricket. 

Root till now has played only 153 test matches and has a batting average of 50.80. Since the start of 2022, Root has scored 13 test tons, scoring 3475 runs at an average of 53.46. He is also the highest run scorer in World Test Championship history. 

Other records Root has in his test career:

• 3rd most test runs in a calendar year (1708, in 2021)
• 5th most test hundreds (36)
• 6th most test hundreds in a calendar year (6 in 2021)
• Most fifties in consecutive test matches (12)
• 4th most test fifties (101)

Root vs Sachin in Test Cricket: Comparison

Sachin currently has a lead over Joe Root in every aspect of numbers in test cricket. The master blaster has better records than Root in test cricket.

But to compare them, we will have to compare them with the current number of matches Root has played so far.

Sachin after 153 test matches 

Runs: 12152

Innings: 250

Average: 54.25

100s: 39

50s: 51

Highest: 248*

Sachin in wins after 153 tests: 

Won: 48 tests

Runs: 4011

Average: 62.67

100s: 13

50s: 16

Root after 153 test matches

Runs: 13006

Innings: 279

Average: 50.80

100s: 36

50s: 65

Highest: 262

Root in wins after 153 test matches:

Wins: 70 tests

Runs: 6999

Average: 64.21

100s: 25

50s: 28

So, if we compare Sachin's record to Joe Root's after 153 test matches, we can see that Root is leading the chart with more runs and more fifties. But, Sachin has a better batting average, more hundreds. 

However, in 153 test matches, Root won 70 test matches for England while Sachin had only won 48 test matches as a player. Although their batting averages in winning causes are nearly the same, Root has scored nearly 3000 more test runs on winning occasions for England. 

Bonus: Did you know who was ahead after 145 test matches each for Sachin and Root? 

Can Root catch Sachin in test cricket?

Although Joe Root has scored the most test runs if we compare their stats after 153 test matches, Sachin played nearly five years after playing his 153rd test match in 2008. 

Not only that, in those next 47 test matches he played for India, he scored 3769 runs at an average of 52.34 with 12 tons.

Root is currently 34, and can stretch his career for at least 4-5 years if he can stay fit. With the number of test matches England play every season, there is a certain possibility that Root can end up playing more than 200 test matches in his career. 

Even if he plays 47 more test matches and bats at least 75 innings, he would need 2915 test runs at an average of 38.87. 

With the current form Joe Root is in, this is quite possible for him to get. But, will he be able to keep the form like Sachin had done at the age of 35 and after? That's the question the World Cricket will be eyeing. 

Playing test matches is one thing but to win test matches is a whole other ball game as only the best teams are able to win and get better as a test match side. During the 140+ years of test cricket there have been around 2500+ test matches that have been played by the various teams playing and these teams strive to beat the other team in this match and win the series as a result. Winning a test match is the ultimate satisfaction for a team even now. So, let’s look at the statistics of Most Test Wins by a Team since 2010.

Also Read: Most Sixes in International Cricket History | Top 25 Batters

Most Test Wins by a Team since 2010

5. New Zealand | 52

The number 5 team in this list is the New Zealand team which has won 52 test matches since 2010 out of a total of 122 test matches played till now. They have lost 46 matches which is not a good record to have and hopefully the win loss difference decreases and they have a total of drawn test matches of 24 and going forward it can be said that their record will improve.

4. South Africa | 66

South Africa have one of the most impressive records in the test cricket as in the 127 test matches they have played in from 2010-2025 , they have been able to win 66 test matches and they have lost 39 matches against good teams as well and they also have drawn 22 test matches. South Africa was barred from cricket as well for a number of years and they were reinstated in 1993 again and their journey hasn’t looked back since.

3. India | 80

After Australia, the third team with most test match wins is the Indian team with 80 test match wins since 2010 in a total of 156 matches. They have also lost 48 matches which is not a good sign as well as they have 28 drawn matches throughout their journey from 2010 and the hope is this record gets better with time and they win more matches than they lose.

2. Australia | 84

Australia have played a total of 157 test matches since 2010 and they have won 84 matches and also lost 48 matches as a side and some of the losses were memorable. And Australia have drawn 25 matches and drawn test matches can be very entertaining as well. Australia will play more test matches as they go along over the years and they will reach 100 test wins really soon as well.

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

1. England | 90

England is the test team with the most number of wins in test matches since 2010. They are the only team who have played over a 190 test matches and they have won 90 matches whereas they have also lost 70 test matches as well which shows they are beaten a lot of times as well and the number of drawn test matches by England are at 31 and as they play along they will win more rest matches as well as lose matches as well.

The cricketing world is buzzing with discussions surrounding the upcoming IND vs ENG series, and a voice has highlighted a significant void: the absence of Virat Kohli. England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, has openly expressed his belief that India will feel the lack of Kohli's renowned "fighting spirit" and other things on the field.

Stokes also revealed how he texted Kohli after his decision to retire and term it as a shame he won't be there to play in the field.

This statement from an opponent shows the immense impact Kohli has left and the challenge India faces in a crucial series without one of its finest test players.

Check the full story of Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England series:

Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England series

Ben Stokes has analysed how Virat Kohli's absence can affect India, 2 days prior the test series against England. When asked about what India will miss in Kohli after he decided to step down from tests, here's how the English skipper replied:

"I think what India will miss, will be his fighting spirit out in the game, his competitiveness, desire to win." He further goes on to add "It will be weird to not see number 18 at the back of any Indian shirt. I did text him saying it's going to be a shame not to play against him because I love playing against Virat."

Stokes also shared how he feels both Kohli and him have the same mindset when out in the field, and addressed the fact that he has done really well against England in his test career.

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Read Also: England vs India Test Series: Here is India's overall test record against England in England

India vs England squads for the upcoming test series

India: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana.

England: Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes