"Joe Root and Virat Kohli are right up there at the top" - Ravichandran Ashwin on the 'Fab Four'
Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Team India's Virat Kohli and England's Joe Root are currently the top two batters of the 'Fab Four'. He suggested that Kane Williamson (New Zealand) and Steve Smith (Australia) are currently behind Kohli and Root.
The veteran Indian spinner pointed out that Smith has had a bit of a form slump lately while Williamson has struggled with injuries. However, Ashwin reckons that the two batters could still turn things around in the coming months.
Speaking in his latest YouTube video, he said (from 22:57):
"If I pick two from the top four, without any rankings, Joe Root and Virat Kohli are right up there at the top. Kane Williamson and Steve Smith might have been slightly behind. Williamson has been blocked by injuries. We shouldn't forget that.
"If batters have a lot of tennis elbow issues, it is very difficult Steve Smith found that mid-area when he wanted to play all formats. He has gone through a little bit of a dip but these are high-quality players. Again, I wouldn't be surprised if those guys came back and hit another purple patch."
Joe Root has looked in tremendous form in England's ongoing three-match home Test series against Sri Lanka. He notched up back-to-back tons in the recently concluded second Test at Lord's, taking his century tally to 34, the most by an active player.
"Makes life very easy for Joe Root" - Ravichandran Ashwin on the English batter playing in just one format
In the aforementioned video, Ravichandran Ashwin suggested that playing in just one format - Test cricket has benefitted Joe Root significantly. He opined that workload management has ensured that the right-handed batter is always fresh.
Ashwin added:
"One thing that makes life very easy for Joe Root is that one format. He is always fresh. Because a player of that calibre when he is fresh, if he does the correct workload management, he peaks, he gets into some solid performances and of course, he is a high-quality player."
With his 34th Test ton, Root is now the highest century-maker for England in the format. He will next be in action in the upcoming third and final Test of the series against Sri Lanka. The match will be played at Kennington Oval from Friday, September 6.