Virat Kohli Pays Emotional Tribute To Kane Williamson After International Cricket Retirement

Virat Kohli marked Kane Williamson’s retirement from international cricket with a warm tribute on Friday. The India batter said he valued their long friendship and admired Williamson’s career. Kohli also said the New Zealand great now deserved time to enjoy the rewards of years spent serving the game.

Williamson’s exit closes a 16-year international career that shaped New Zealand cricket. He played 378 matches for his country and set many batting marks along the way. His choice came after he had already stepped away from T20 Internationals in 2025.

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson friendship from 2008

Kohli and Williamson first built their bond at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup. Since then, they have met often across formats for India and New Zealand. They also crossed paths in the IPL, where Kohli stayed with Royal Challengers Bengaluru for years.

Williamson, meanwhile, turned out for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants. Their meetings on the field often carried a calm, respectful edge. Kohli’s note reflected that history, along with years of shared conversations about cricket and life.

“From an opponent to a friend over the years. It’s been a pleasure watching you bat and compete against you over so many years but more than that I value our friendship and shared perspectives on the game and beyond,” wrote Kohli on ‘X’ following Williamson’s decision to hang up his cricketing shoes.

“I continue to cherish every time we speak or meet. Wishing you nothing but the best always brother. You’ve done your bit, you deserve to enjoy all of it now and put your feet up. Well done mate, life’s only just begun,” Kohli added.

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson records in New Zealand cricket

Williamson leaves behind a strong record as New Zealand’s leading international run-scorer. He finished with 19,346 runs across all formats. That tally included more than 9,500 Test runs, underlining his value in the longest format.

His Test record also featured 33 centuries and six double tons. Across all formats, Williamson struck 48 hundreds and six double-centuries. These numbers placed him among New Zealand’s finest batters and confirmed his status over many years.

Williamson’s leadership also brought major team success for the Black Caps. He led New Zealand to two ICC World Cup finals and three semi-finals. His biggest team result came in 2021, when New Zealand won the first ICC World Test Championship.

Those achievements were matched by personal honours. Williamson was named ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2015. He also won the ICC Test player of the Year award in 2019, adding to a career built on consistency and control.

ICC chairman Jay Shah also praised Williamson after the announcement. He highlighted the former New Zealand captain’s humility and leadership. Shah said Williamson’s work in the 2019 ICC Men’s @CricketWorldCup and the 2021 World Test Championship would stay part of cricket history.

“Congratulations to Kane Williamson on an exceptional international career built on class, humility, and outstanding leadership. Your achievements as the ICC Men’s @CricketWorldCup 2019 Player of the Tournament and the captain of New Zealand’s historic ICC World Test Championship 2021 triumph will remain etched in cricketing history,” Shah wrote on ‘X’.

“Wishing you continued success and fulfilment in all your future endeavours,” Shah added. Williamson, now 35, exits the international stage with numbers and respect that few players can match. His career leaves New Zealand cricket with a long-lasting standard, and Kohli’s tribute captured that sense of admiration well.