Source : My own database and analysis.

Findings -

1. Kane Williamson, half of the time, has to come in to bat at less than 8 overs and score < 25. He thrives decently in such phases though, scoring 4k runs@ 48 average. His second-best entry position is \[25-50, 1 wicket down\] and he thrives more scoring 1459@ 54 average. The man carried the NZ cricket despite limited talent coming from the nation. His numbers might be a bit biased towards home but NZ is no easy place to bat at any phase, let alone his median entry point of 21/1. He didn't bat much at other positions than no. 3. His performance thrives more in the matches where openers can provide him a 50+ opening stand.
2. Joe Root has accepted his fate of not getting any support from the top 3 throughout his career for a long time and now, it doesn't matter to him at all it seems. He scored 2375 @ 55 whenever he found himself in \[0-25, 2 wickets down\] situations. Though, his records muddle little compared to Smith at \[25-75, 2 wickets down\] but still it's great.

Joe Root despite having such a long career, rarely got conditions of \[150+, only 2 down\], \[100+, only 1 down\] to feast upon. Root enjoyed the tougher entries at no. 5 \[<100 score, 3 wickets down\] as well.

Regarding Kane and Root, they face another issue of facing more “all-round attack" of India and Australia where Smith/Kohli has the natural privilege to not play one of them.

3. Virat Kohli played many iconic knocks in tough conditions like South Africa and was a terrific Test player for a good period of time. Despite that, Virat Kohli is the only one of the FAB 4 to have a <100 runs difference between their avg entry point and avg exit point. Virat Kohli loses the least amount of partners in their batting stay \[1.1 partners, compared to 1.4 of Root, 1.4 of Smith, 1.3 of KW, around 25% more than Kohli's\].

Virat Kohli's avg 37.3 when \[0-25, 2 down\] and 32 when \[25-50, 2 down\] points his likeness towards easier entry points. Kohli scored \~18-20% of his career runs coming at \[150+, 2 down\] compared to 5% of Root and \~12% of Smith. Kohli likes it when his entry is at a score of 50+. Virat Kohli's average of \~60 at \[50-75, 2 wickets down\] is something and he averages a consistent 50+ for each type of entry except the <50 ones.

4. Steve Smith, like Kohli, comes at an easier point compared to Root and Williamson due to his top order being more competent. What makes Smith different from the rest is his audacious \~60 average at entry points like \[0-25, 1 down\], \[25-75, 2 down\]. His record at the most tough entry for no. 4 \[0-25, 2 down\] is decent as well but meh compared to Root.

Smith averages better than Root in overall career as his most part of the no. 4 entry point touches 60s while Root averages in 40s for some of his entry points. At the end, it is tough to find who's better between Root and Smith since they both have great performances in all kinds of situations. Smith edges him quite comfortably in average game but Root has played longer with a weaker team against stronger oppositions.

Williamson is a different case. Williamson performed at home with a +10 average more than Kohli did. \[Both of the nations have the same avg of \~36 from the top 7 this era\]

Their avg in NZ + India + Eng + Aus can be considered equivalent. It's SA and SL where Kohli thrived. Bangladesh where Williamson is the only one of the Fab 4 to average > 30, averaging 100+.

Williamson also did well in the WTC finals compared to Kohli.  But, KW hasn't performed much great away, either due to not playing at all or playing 2/3 matches in a series or well, maybe he is poor.

At the end, Kohli slightly edges ahead of Williamson due to his superior away performance. If Kane can have 2 good to great series in either of Aus, Eng, SL, or India, I think he will clear Kohli then. Till then, Kohli is slightly ahead due to his broader portfolio than Kane.

My final verdict on

Who had a tougher entry point to bat \[due to their team and conditions\] :

Root > Williamson > Smith > Kohli

Who performed better when they had it tough to bat:

Smith \~ Root >> Kohli \~ Williamson.

Disclaimer: Each of them is a great player and this is a relative analysis. English isn't my first language so please let me know if there's any writing issue. I am on a career break rn so please let me know if you want any other specific analysis.

Fab 4: Who performs better when put in a tougher situation?