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Kane Williamson retires from T20Is, bows out as New Zealand's second-highest men's T20I run-scorer: ‘Right time for me’
New Zealand batter Kane Williamson retired from T20Is on Sunday, saying it is the right time for him and the team.
Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson announced his retirement from T20Is on Sunday, and he bows out as the second-highest run-scorer for the Kiwis in men's T20Is with 2575 runs at an average of 33, including 18 50s and a highest score of 95. The right-handed batter will also miss the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies to focus on the three-Test series in December.
The 35-year-old had made his T20I debut in 2011, and he also led the side on 75 occasions. Under his tenure, the BlackCaps reached the semi-final of the T20 World Cups in 2016 and 2022, and the side even made the final of the 2021 edition, where they came up short against Australia at the Dubai International Stadium.
While explaining his decision to retire from T20Is ahead of the World Cup next year, Williamson said that he felt the time was right for him to step aside and let the others take over.
“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. It’s the right time for myself and the team. It gives the team clarity for the series moving forward and ahead of their next major focus, which is the T20 World Cup," Williamson said in an official release issued by New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
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“There’s so much T20 talent there, and the next period will be important to get cricket into these guys and get them ready for the World Cup. Mitch (Mitchell Santner) is a brilliant captain and leader - he’s really come into his own with this team. It’s now their time to push the BLACKCAPS forward in this format and I’ll be supporting from afar," he added.
What about Williamson's ODI and Test future?
The former Kiwis captain also stated that he remains open-minded about his future in the other two formats - ODI and Tests, saying his immediate focus remains on preparing well for the three-match Test series against the West Indies, beginning December 2 in Christchurch.
“I’ve got such deep care for this team. The BLACKCAPS is a special place and one you want to give yourself to and get the most out of yourself for. It’s a journey and a pursuit, and that’s what I love about the international game and this environment," said Williamson.
“I’ll continue to keep the lines of communication open with Rob and NZC, who have given me a huge amount of support throughout," he added.
However, it has been confirmed that Williamson will continue to play in domestic leagues around the world. Earlier this year, the right-handed batter was brought on board by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a strategic advisor for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
