Broad’s picks for the future stars of cricket
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has revealed his vision for the next generation of cricket’s Fab Four, naming two Indian batters in his elite lineup. Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, Broad said: “I think Shubman Gill has got to be there in that conversation.”
Explaining further, he added: “Jaiswal has huge talent and the ability to take the game away. Harry Brook is penned in, and Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand as well.”
The quartet reflects Broad’s belief in a new era of cricket talent, following in the footsteps of the original Fab Four.
Buttler backs Broad’s choices
Broad’s podcast co-host, England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler, backed the selections and highlighted the strength of the Indian pair in particular. “Gill, especially after the summer he had in England, and Jaiswal, I’d agree with that. That is a strong Fab Four,” Buttler said.
The legacy of the original Fab Four
The term “Fab Four” was coined in 2014 by New Zealand legend Martin Crowe, who identified Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith as the four batters who would dominate world cricket. Over the next decade, the group lived up to its billing, rewriting records and cementing their status as modern greats.
With Smith retired from ODIs and Kohli stepping away from limited-overs formats, Root and Williamson remain active but play fewer T20Is. Broad’s new quartet represents a generational shift, identifying those most likely to carry forward that legacy.
Profiles of the next-gen Fab Four
Shubman Gill: India’s current Test captain, who has enjoyed a record-breaking run in England and is widely seen as the long-term successor to Virat Kohli in all formats.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: India’s first-choice Test opener, known for his fearless batting, who continues to push for greater opportunities in white-ball cricket.
Harry Brook: One of England’s brightest young stars, already a mainstay in both Test and white-ball cricket.
Rachin Ravindra: A New Zealand all-rounder established across formats, regarded as a future captain of the Black Caps.
A new era in sight
Broad’s endorsement and Buttler’s agreement come at a moment when world cricket is transitioning from one dominant era to another. With Gill, Jaiswal, Brook, and Ravindra already producing match-winning performances on the international stage, the next decade could belong to this new Fab Four.
