Aakash Chopra Names Cricket's 'Next Fab 4': Two Indians In, No Australian Makes the Cut

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has named his picks for cricket's "Next Fab 4"—the quartet of players he believes will dominate world cricket in the coming decade. In a surprising twist, Chopra included two Indian players—Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal—alongside England's Harry Brook and New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, notably excluding any Australian representative from his elite list.

The Legacy of the Original Fab 4

The term "Fab 4" was coined by legendary New Zealand captain Martin Crowe in 2014 to describe four exceptional young batsmen who were beginning to dominate world cricket: India's Virat Kohli, England's Joe Root, Australia's Steve Smith, and New Zealand's Kane Williamson. Crowe's prediction proved remarkably accurate as these four went on to define a generation of cricket, collectively scoring over 90,000 international runs and more than 200 centuries across formats.

Today, with Kohli having retired from Tests and T20Is, Smith from ODIs, and all four approaching or in their mid-30s, cricket stands at the cusp of a generational transition. The question on every fan's mind: who will carry the torch forward?

Chopra's Bold Selection

Speaking in a video shared on social media platform X, Chopra laid out his vision for the next generation of batting superstars:

"The next Fab 4, I feel are almost here. Shubman Gill is a part of that Fab 4 and will remain in the future, across formats. Same is true for Yashasvi Jaiswal. He is mainly concentrating on one format now but he'll play all three formats and will be pretty good there as well. Then I am thinking of Harry Brook who will rule the roost in all three formats with his style of play. The 4th player will be Rachin Ravindra. He has both the technique and the temperament."

Shubman Gill: India's Captaincy Star

At just 26, Shubman Gill has already been entrusted with leading India in both Tests and ODIs—a remarkable vote of confidence from the BCCI. His elevation to dual captaincy in 2025 came after impressing as vice-captain and showcasing maturity beyond his years.

Gill's Test credentials speak for themselves: he scored 269 against England in Birmingham earlier in 2025, the seventh-highest score by an Indian in Test cricket. In 26 Test matches, he averages over 45 with five centuries. His elegant strokeplay combined with sound technique makes him equally adept in all formats.

As ODI captain, Gill is set to lead India against Australia starting October 19, his first assignment in the 50-over format. His recent performances, including a crucial unbeaten 90 that helped India chase down Pakistan's total in the Asia Cup final, demonstrate his ability to handle pressure in high-stakes encounters.

Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Aggressive Prodigy

If Gill represents elegance, Yashasvi Jaiswal embodies explosive brilliance. At 23, the left-handed opener has already established himself as one of Test cricket's most exciting talents with over 2,200 runs in just 26 matches at an average exceeding 58.

What sets Jaiswal apart is his ability to score big—five of his seven Test centuries have exceeded 150 runs, surpassing even Sachin Tendulkar's record for most 150+ scores by an Indian at age 23. His recent 175 against West Indies in Delhi showcased his trademark combination of patience and aggression, batting through an entire day before being run out.

While currently focused on Test cricket, Chopra correctly identifies Jaiswal's potential across all formats. His IPL performances for Rajasthan Royals—where he's scored heavily at strike rates exceeding 150—demonstrate his white-ball prowess. His eventual inclusion in India's T20I and ODI squads seems inevitable.

Harry Brook: England's Swashbuckler

England's Harry Brook represents the evolution of Test cricket under the "Bazball" era. The 24-year-old right-hander averages an astonishing 57.69 in Test cricket with six centuries in just 22 matches. His ability to score at high strike rates without compromising consistency makes him the perfect modern Test batsman.

Brook's 317 runs at 79.25 average during England's 2022-23 tour of Pakistan announced his arrival on the world stage. He followed it up with a sensational double century (265*) against New Zealand at Wellington in early 2025, becoming the youngest English player since Denis Compton to score 250+ in Tests.

In limited-overs cricket, Brook averages 47.50 in ODIs and 34.71 in T20Is—solid numbers that are expected to improve as he gains more experience. His fearless approach and ability to deconstruct bowling attacks across conditions make him a genuine multi-format threat.

Rachin Ravindra: The Complete Package

New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra completes Chopra's quartet as the most versatile selection. The 25-year-old left-handed batting all-rounder brings both technique and temperament, averaging over 42 in both Tests and ODIs while also providing quality left-arm orthodox spin.

Ravindra burst onto the world stage during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, scoring three centuries including a match-winning 123* against England. His ability to anchor innings while accelerating when needed makes him invaluable in all formats. In Tests, he's shown the solidity to occupy the crease for extended periods, recently scoring 240 against South Africa.

As a bowler, Ravindra has claimed 45 international wickets, providing his team with a fifth bowling option and tactical flexibility. This all-round ability—reminiscent of Williamson's own underrated bowling skills—adds another dimension to his value.

The Notable Australian Absence

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Chopra's selection is the complete absence of Australian representation. This marks a significant departure from the original Fab 4, where Smith represented the Baggy Green with distinction.

Australia does have promising young talents like Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, and Jake Fraser-McGurk, but none have yet established themselves across formats with the consistency required for "Fab 4" status. Green, despite his all-round abilities, has struggled to convert starts into big scores, while Harris and Fraser-McGurk are still finding their feet at international level.

This gap represents both a challenge and opportunity for Australian cricket as they transition beyond Smith's era.

Cross-Generational Endorsement

Interestingly, Kane Williamson himself previously identified a similar next generation during an interview with ESPNcricinfo, naming Jaiswal, Gill, Brook, and Ravindra—along with Cameron Green as a fifth player. This cross-generational endorsement from one of the original Fab 4 adds significant weight to these selections.

The Path Ahead

For these four players to truly earn "Fab 4" status, they must sustain excellence over the next decade. The original quartet's greatness wasn't just about talent but longevity, consistency across conditions, and the ability to dominate in multiple formats simultaneously.

Gill and Jaiswal have the advantage of playing for India, meaning they'll face high-quality opposition regularly and have ample opportunities to pile on runs. Brook benefits from England's packed international schedule, while Ravindra's challenge will be maintaining form despite New Zealand's fewer bilateral series.

The coming years—particularly the 2025-26 Australian summer, the 2027 ODI World Cup, and the next World Test Championship cycle—will provide crucial tests for these emerging stars.

Conclusion

Aakash Chopra's "Next Fab 4" represents a bold but well-reasoned prediction for cricket's future. With two Indians, one Englishman, and one New Zealander, the list reflects both current form and future potential. The absence of an Australian may surprise some, but it also highlights how talent is distributed globally and how quickly cricket's landscape can shift.

Whether these four will achieve the collective greatness of Kohli, Root, Smith, and Williamson remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: cricket's next generation is in capable hands, and fans can look forward to another era of batting excellence across formats.