Kane Williamson retires from T20Is months before 2026 World Cup

Kane Williamson will continue to play T20 franchise cricket despite retiring from T20 internationals for New Zealand.

Kane Williamson has decided to step away from T20 internationals, bringing an end to a 14-year career that saw him lead New Zealand through some of their finest moments in the format. The 35-year-old confirmed his retirement just a few months before the 2026 T20 World Cup, choosing instead to extend his red-ball career. As of now, his focus remains on the upcoming Test series against the West Indies in December.

Williamson leaves as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in T20Is with 2,575 runs in 93 matches at an average of 33, including 18 half-centuries and a highest score of 95. His leadership record is equally remarkable, with 75 matches as captain, a T20 World Cup final in 2021, and two semi-final appearances in 2016 and 2022. It was at the T20 World Cup 2021 final against Australia, where Williamson dished out perhaps his best T20I knock, hammering 85 off 48 in Dubai.

“It’s something I’ve loved being a part of for a long period of time,” Williamson said. “It feels like the right time for myself and the team. This allows the side clarity as they prepare for the World Cup. There’s so much T20 talent around, and this is the moment to give those players more time in the middle.”

Williamson passing the baton to youngsters

Williamson’s exit means the continuation of New Zealand’s transition phase in white-ball cricket. Mitchell Santner, who took over the T20 captaincy earlier this year, will now lead a side that includes rising talents like Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, and Mark Chapman.

Williamson spoke warmly about Santner’s leadership, calling him “a brilliant captain and leader who has really come into his own.”

Williamson’s decision may have surprised some, but it fits his pattern of choosing purpose over prestige. He has long spoken about balancing cricket with family life and keeping himself fresh for Test cricket. His immediate focus will be preparing for the three-Test series against West Indies, beginning December 2 in Christchurch. Recently, Williamson, who has a massive fan following in India, joined the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) camp. No, not as a player. The Lucknow’s IPL franchise has signed Williamson as a new strategic advisor on a special request by owner Dr. Sanjiv Goenka.