Key Points:
- Kane Williamson announces immediate retirement from T20 Internationals, ending 93-match career just four months before 2026 T20 World Cup
- Retires as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in T20Is with 2,575 runs at average of 33.4, including 18 half-centuries and highest score of 95
- Captained Black Caps in 75 T20I matches, leading them to 2021 T20 World Cup final (scored 85 in losing cause) and semi-finals in 2016 and 2022
- Will continue playing Test and ODI cricket for New Zealand, with immediate focus on three-Test series against West Indies starting December 2
- Mitchell Santner to lead Black Caps in T20 format; New Zealand recalls Kyle Jamieson and Ish Sodhi for upcoming West Indies series
- Williamson will continue playing T20 franchise cricket while stepping back from international commitments to focus on family
New Delhi: New Zealand cricket icon Kane Williamson has officially announced his retirement from T20 Internationals with immediate effect on November 1, 2025, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished 14-year career in the shortest format. The 35-year-old batting maestro’s decision comes just four months before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February, leaving the Black Caps to forge ahead with a new generation of players.
Illustrious T20I Career Comes to an End
Williamson departs as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in men’s T20 Internationals, having accumulated 2,575 runs at an average of 33.4, including 18 half-centuries and a career-best score of 95. Since making his T20I debut in 2011, the right-handed batsman captained the Black Caps in 75 of his 93 matches, leading them through some of the team’s most memorable campaigns in the format.
Under Williamson’s leadership, New Zealand reached two ICC T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2016 and 2022, and most notably, the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. In that final against Australia, Williamson delivered one of the most special T20I innings by a New Zealander, a magnificent 85-run knock, though it ultimately came in a losing cause. New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink described that innings as “one of the more special T20I innings played by a New Zealander,” highlighting the consistency and success the team experienced under Williamson’s captaincy.
“The Right Time for Myself and the Team”
In his retirement statement, Williamson emphasized that the timing felt appropriate both for himself and the team’s future direction. “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 me 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, according to New Zealand Cricket’s official press release.
The former captain expressed confidence in the depth of T20 talent within New Zealand cricket, stating, “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 also praised his successor, Mitchell Santner, who took over the white-ball captaincy following New Zealand’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup: “Mitch 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”.
Strategic Shift in International Commitments
Williamson had previously relinquished the limited-overs captaincy to Santner after New Zealand’s group-stage exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, a disappointment that appeared to influence his decision-making about his future in the format. Since then, he has been selective about his national appearances, signing a “casual” contract with New Zealand Cricket that allows him to pick and choose his availability based on franchise commitments and the needs of his young family.
He missed the recent Chappell-Hadlee T20I series against Australia and sat out matches against England due to a groin injury. However, Williamson made a notable return to white-ball cricket during the recently concluded ODI series against England, playing in the Champions Trophy final. Last week, the 35-year-old confirmed he would be cutting back on his international commitments to dedicate more time to his family while continuing to play in professional white-ball leagues globally.
Immediate Impact on the New Zealand Squad
Following Williamson’s retirement announcement, New Zealand Cricket unveiled its 14-member T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against the West Indies, which begins on Wednesday at Eden Park, Auckland. The squad features the return of Kyle Jamieson, who has recovered from a side injury that sidelined him during the ODI series against England, and Ish Sodhi, who makes his comeback to the T20I setup after facing Australia earlier in October.
The squad also includes uncapped all-rounder Nathan Smith from the Wellington Firebirds, who could make his T20I debut after being part of the squad against Sri Lanka last season. Coach Rob Walter welcomed these additions, stating, “Kyle’s been back bowling this week and is tracking nicely for this series. Nathan’s made an impressive start to his international career in the Test and ODI formats, and we back him to do the job if he gets his T20 chance in this series”. This five-match series against the West Indies will serve as New Zealand’s final T20I assignment before Walter announces his preliminary squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Continuing Legacy in Tests and ODIs
While stepping away from T20 Internationals, Williamson remains committed to playing Test and ODI cricket for New Zealand, albeit with a flexible approach. His next appearance in New Zealand colors is likely to be for Northern Districts in their Plunket Shield second-round clash against Auckland at Bay Oval in Tauranga, starting Wednesday, November 26.
The all-time leading run-scorer for New Zealand across all formats, with 9,276 runs in Test cricket alone, will have his immediate focus on the three-Test series against the West Indies, which commences on 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. I’ll continue to keep the lines of communication open with Rob and NZC, who have given me a huge amount of support throughout,” Williamson said.
Industry Reaction and Tribute
NZC CEO Scott Weenink paid tribute to Williamson’s immense contributions to New Zealand cricket, particularly in the T20 format. “Kane’s performances as a player and his service as captain of the T20 side have been nothing short of immense. His runs in all conditions around the world reflect the world-class batsman that he is and are equally matched by the influence of his leadership on and off the field,” Weenink said.
Weenink emphasized that Williamson has earned the right to decide how he concludes his ODI and Test careers: “We’ve made it clear to Kane he has our full support as he reaches the back end of his illustrious career. We would, of course, love to see him play for as long as possible, but there’s no doubt whenever he does decide to finally call time, he will go down as a legend of New Zealand cricket”. The CEO encouraged cricket fans to seize the opportunity to watch one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever cricketers during the upcoming West Indies Test series.
Williamson will continue to participate in T20 franchise cricket around the world, ensuring fans can still witness his batting brilliance in various leagues. His retirement from T20 Internationals marks the end of an era for New Zealand cricket, but his legacy as one of the format’s finest players and leaders will endure for generations to come.
