Kane Williamson has officially concluded his T20 International career with New Zealand, shifting his focus to the Test and ODI formats. The celebrated cricketer, who debuted in T20Is in 2011, represented New Zealand in 93 matches, leading them as captain for 75 of those games. His last outing in a T20I was during the T20 World Cup last year. Williamson expressed that the decision was driven by a desire to offer clarity to the team’s T20I setup and selection processes, especially with the imminent T20 World Cup. He believes it is the ‘right time’ for him to step away from T20Is, allowing emerging talents to thrive and prepare for major tournaments. ‘It’s something that I’ve loved being a part of for a long period of time and I’m so grateful for the memories and experiences,’ Williamson stated. He has affirmed his intention to continue playing ODIs and Test cricket ‘for now’. Williamson departs as the second-highest run-getter for New Zealand in T20Is, having scored 2,575 runs. Under his leadership, the Black Caps achieved significant milestones in T20 World Cups, including reaching the final in 2021. While retiring from international T20s, Williamson will continue to play in T20 franchise leagues and is scheduled for a Test series against the West Indies in December.
