Kane Williamson announces retirement from T20I cricket:New Zealand batter calls time as the 2nd-highest scorer in shortest format for Black Caps

One of the four greats of the last decade, Kane Williamson, has announced his retirement from T20I cricket. Notably, the New Zealand batter announced his immediate retirement from the shortest format and will not play the five-match series against the West Indies in November. However, the cricket great clearly stated that he will be playing the Test and ODI cricket, with his most recent outing possible in the Test series vs West Indies in December this year. Williamson retired as the second-highest run scorer in the men’s T20I for New Zealand. ‘Right time to step back’- Williamson on his retirement months before T20I World Cup While announcing his retirement, the 35-year-old said the timing was right to take a step back. The New Zealand batter said on Sunday: 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 T20I World Cup. 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. Williamson is now set to focus his preparations on New Zealand’s three-Test series with the West Indies in December and will remain open-minded on any decision on his future at the Test and ODI formats. Cricket great passes the baton to Mitchell Santer Further adding to his retirement quote, Williamson said on the future of the New Zealand cricket team ahead of the crucial T20I World Cup in February 2026, “Mitch (Santner) is a brilliant captain and leader – he’s really come into his own with this team.” Notably, the New Zealand legend will continue to play Test and ODI cricket for the Black Caps and is unlikely to hang up the boots in either format. Kane Williamson: 2nd-highest scorer for Black Caps in T20I format Williamson has retired as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, with 2,575 runs at an average of 33.44, 18 fifties and a highest score of 95. He led his team as captain in 75 of his matches, including T20I World Cup semi-final appearances in 2016 and 2022, and one losing final in 2021. Moreover, he has played 93 T20Is overall for New Zealand since his debut in October 2011. The last outing that the Kiwi batter made in the T20I format was at the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup in 2024 against Papua New Guinea. However, due to his retirement, he will not be able to be part of the NZ’s T20I World Cup campaign in 2026.