New Zealand’s Kane Williamson Announces T20I Retirement With Immediate Effect

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).