Former New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson recently made headlines during an ESPNcricinfo show when he named Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest cricketer of the 21st century, bypassing modern-day superstar Virat Kohli. Williamson, known for being the top run-scorer in international cricket for New Zealand, was asked to share his thoughts on who he believes deserves the title, and he didn’t hesitate to mention Tendulkar.
Tendulkar had an impressive career that stretched over 24 years, playing 200 Tests, 463 ODIs, and a single T20I for India. He amassed a staggering total of more than 34,000 runs and also took 201 wickets as a bowler. Even after retiring, he remains the most capped player in cricket history and holds the record for the most runs scored in both Test and one-day formats.
In the Indian Premier League, Tendulkar made his mark as an icon player for the Mumbai Indians during the very first auction. He played six seasons with the team and scored a total of 2,334 runs over 78 matches, further solidifying his legacy in the world of cricket.
When asked about his most memorable cricket moment, Williamson, who hails from Tauranga, pointed to New Zealand’s historic win in the inaugural World Test Championship final against India in 2021. He recalled, “Personally, my most memorable moment would be the inaugural (World) Test Championship final that we (New Zealand) were involved in. In a nail-biting match at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Southampton, New Zealand clinched victory over India by 8 wickets, marking a significant achievement for the team.
Since making his international debut against India in 2010, Williamson has played in four ODI World Cups. He is still very passionate about the 50-over format, stating, “The biggest event, I still think, is the ODI World Cup. In 2019, he led New Zealand to the final of the World Cup, a remarkable journey that unfortunately ended with his team as the runners-up. Williamson shone brightly during that tournament, earning the Player of the Tournament award for his outstanding performances at the crease.
More recently, during the 2023 ODI World Cup, he played in four matches for New Zealand, who were once again among the top contenders but fell short of winning the title. In those matches, he scored 256 runs with the help of three fifties, showcasing his enduring talent and resilience on the field. His love for the game and admiration for great players like Tendulkar illustrate the deep appreciation he has for cricket’s rich history.
