A couple of years ago, everyone was calling Virat Kohli a washed-up player when compared to his counterparts. Now, the batter is the only member of the Fab 4 playing in the IPL 2024 season. He’s not just playing but is the leading run-scorer in the event. The other three members, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, haven’t even faced a ball in the tournament, and two might not even play in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Williamson and Smith are both part of the IPL as well. The Kiwi T20I skipper is part of the Gujarat Titans squad and is currently warming the bench, two years after he was leading the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Smith is also part of the league, not as a player but instead as a commentator and analyst. The former Australian skipper currently has an outside chance of playing in the T20 World Cup but isn’t a sure-shot starter.
Root, the last member, is not even on the same continent as the other three members of the Fab 4. The English great was part of the Rajasthan Royals last season, but following a poor season and after staying in India for two months due to the ODI World Cup 2023, he decided not to put his name in the 2024 auction. He is currently preparing for the County Championship and will be seen in the England jersey until July.
What about Fab 5 member Babar Azam?
The new entrant to the group, Babar Azam, is not allowed to play in the IPL. Players from Pakistan played in the inaugural season and have since been excluded from participating in the event. However, the batter is in fine touch. The elegant right-hander was the leading run-scorer in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 edition and has recently been appointed as Pakistan’s new white ball (T20I and ODI) skipper.
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