Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has revealed that a personal conversation with Virat Kohli helped him reflect on his decision to retire from international cricket. Speaking about the exchange, Williamson described the experience as being like “looking in a mirror”, explaining how closely their careers and personal journeys had aligned.

Williamson spoke about the conversation during an appearance on the Between Two Beers podcast. He revealed that he had spoken to Kohli over the phone just one day before announcing his international retirement in June 2026.

The two cricketers discussed their experiences of spending more than a decade and a half at the highest level, leading their respective national teams and managing the demands of international cricket alongside family life. Williamson felt Kohli could understand the challenges he was facing, particularly because the Indian batter had also made a major career decision by retiring from Test cricket in 2025.

Recalling the conversation, Williamson explained that there were not many people who could relate to the journey he had experienced. Kohli's understanding of the pressures associated with elite cricket made the exchange particularly meaningful.

After ending the call, Williamson's wife entered his hotel room. He told her, “It's time”, signalling that he had reached a decision about his future.

Why Kane Williamson decided to retire from international cricket

Williamson announced his retirement from international cricket in June 2026, bringing an end to a 16-year career with New Zealand.

His decision came during the team's Test series against England. Rather than continuing to pursue individual milestones, the former captain wanted to step away when he felt his motivation and priorities were changing.

At the time of his retirement, Williamson had accumulated 19,346 international runs across 378 appearances. His record included 9,515 runs in 110 Test matches, 7,256 runs in 175 ODIs and 2,575 runs in 93 T20 internationals.

His Test tally was particularly noteworthy because he retired fewer than 500 runs short of the 10,000-run milestone. However, Williamson explained that reaching a particular statistical landmark had never been the defining ambition of his career. He questioned the idea that a player's success should be measured only through averages, centuries and career records.

"I spoke to a number of people I trust and I've been really, really close with...Then I actually had a really, really cool chat with Virat a day before announcing my retirement."

— Kane Williamson pic.twitter.com/99X6sdP2Md

— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) November 9, 2026

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson share similar cricketing journeys

Although they represented different countries, Kohli and Williamson experienced several comparable challenges during their careers.

Both became central figures in their respective batting line-ups, captained their national sides and spent years carrying the expectations of millions of supporters. Their journeys also involved balancing professional commitments with parenthood and family responsibilities.

Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket in May 2025 offered Williamson a perspective from someone who had already experienced a similar transition. Williamson's account highlights the importance of conversations between elite athletes who understand the demands of international sport.

For one of New Zealand cricket's most accomplished batters, the exchange with Kohli became a meaningful moment before closing a significant chapter of his playing career.