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Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has made a big revelation about his retirement from international cricket. The veteran batter disclosed that he spoke to former India captain Virat Kohli just one day before announcing his retirement. Williamson also explained how the special conversation helped him gain clarity about his future in international cricket.
Williamson announced his retirement on June 12, 2026, bringing an end to an outstanding international career. Interestingly, he was just 485 runs away from completing 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Despite being so close to the milestone, the New Zealand batter decided to step away from the game during the Test series against England.
Kane Williamson Spoke to Virat Kohli a Day Before Retirement
Speaking on a podcast, Kane Williamson revealed that he discussed his retirement plans with several people close to him. Virat Kohli was also among those he contacted, and their conversation took place just one day before the official announcement.
Williamson described the discussion with Kohli as being like looking into a mirror. He explained that both players have spent many years playing international cricket and understand the challenges that come with representing their countries at the highest level.
Sharing his experience, Williamson said that they had discussed their long journeys in cricket and the experiences they had gained over the years.
Why Virat Kohli's Advice Was Important for Kane Williamson
Williamson also spoke about his special relationship with Virat Kohli. He believes that very few cricketers have experienced a journey similar to theirs.
Both players have spent a significant part of their lives in international cricket, handled captaincy responsibilities and balanced their professional careers with raising children.
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According to Williamson, these similarities made their conversation particularly meaningful. Speaking to Kohli, who understood the pressures and responsibilities of international cricket, helped him gain a clearer perspective before making his retirement decision.
Virat Kohli's Retirement From Test and T20I Cricket
Virat Kohli has also retired from two major formats of international cricket. He announced his retirement from T20 Internationals after India's historic victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Later, in May 2025, Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to his remarkable red-ball career.
Kohli finished his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches. His impressive record includes 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He continues to represent India in ODI cricket.
Kane Williamson's Test Career: 9,515 Runs in 110 Matches
Kane Williamson enjoyed an outstanding Test career for New Zealand. The right-handed batter played 110 Test matches and scored 9,515 runs.
He finished his Test career just 485 runs short of the historic 10,000-run milestone. Despite being close to achieving this landmark, Williamson decided that it was the right time to step away from international cricket.
His retirement marked the end of a memorable chapter in New Zealand cricket. His latest revelation about speaking to Virat Kohli before making the decision has also highlighted the strong friendship and mutual respect between two of modern cricket's finest batters.
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