Celebrating his 33rd birthday today, Kane Williamson, the distinguished New Zealand cricket captain, was born on August 8, 1990, in Tauranga. Renowned for his significant contributions, Williamson stands as one of the most successful figures in Blackcaps cricket history.
Also Read: Why Kane Williamson is not just a brilliant player but also an outstanding leader?
In the monumental year of 2021, Kane Williamson guided the New Zealand team to a historic victory in the ICC World Test Championship. Beyond this landmark achievement, his captaincy also propelled the Kiwis to the finals of both the ICC World Cup 2019 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, underscoring his influential role in shaping their competitive journey.
However, a shadow of uncertainty looms over his participation in the Cricket World Cup 2023 due to an injury incurred during this year’s IPL. Making his debut for the Gujarat Titans, Williamson suffered a lower limb injury while executing a boundary-saving effort against the Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The aftermath of this incident led to his absence throughout the entirety of the IPL 2023 season. Although he has since resumed practice, the right-handed batter is yet to make his reentry into the international cricket arena.
While IPL 2023 presented challenges for Williamson, his association with the Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2015 to 2022 proved immensely successful. On this noteworthy occasion of his 33rd birthday, it’s apt to reflect upon the pinnacle moments of Kane’s IPL career.
Kane Williamson claims the IPL 2018 Orange Cap.
The pinnacle of Kane Williamson’s IPL journey emerged during the 2018 season. Following David Warner’s suspension, Sunrisers Hyderabad entrusted Williamson with the captaincy, a role that he embraced with distinction. Under his leadership, the Sunrisers, often referred to as the Orange Army, secured a berth in the final.
Remarkably, Williamson’s prior IPL experience had been relatively limited, having played only 15 matches across three seasons before 2018. However, this particular season showcased his batting prowess, as he amassed an impressive tally of 735 runs over 17 matches. His outstanding performance earned him the coveted Orange Cap award, symbolizing his position as the highest run-scorer of the season. Despite his individual success, the Sunrisers Hyderabad faced defeat in the final encounter against the Chennai Super Kings, closing out an eventful and memorable IPL 2018 campaign.
Kane Williamson introduces a short leg and a slip fielder for Andre Russell.
In another remarkable episode from IPL 2018, a standout moment unfolded during the Qualifier 2 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. With a target of 175 to chase, KKR seemed to be cruising at 93/2 in 10 overs at their home ground, Eden Gardens. The situation suggested a comfortable victory for the home team.
Nevertheless, Kane Williamson’s astute leadership altered the course of the match, denying KKR their anticipated triumph. Utilizing the talents of Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan strategically, he effectively applied pressure on the Kolkata batters. Among them, Andre Russell posed the most significant threat.
In a departure from the conventional strategy of stationing the best fielders in the deep for Russell, Williamson employed a tactical shift. He placed a fielder at short leg along with a slip fielder. This decision yielded remarkable results as Russell, considered a dangerous batter, edged a delivery from Rashid Khan. The ball found its way into the hands of Shikhar Dhawan stationed at first slip, resulting in Russell’s dismissal after scoring merely three runs off seven deliveries. Williamson’s unconventional move proved to be a masterstroke, showcasing his strategic acumen and its decisive impact on the outcome of the match.
Kane Williamson wins IPL trophy
Securing the IPL championship title stands as the ultimate aspiration for every cricketer engaged in the fervor of the Indian Premier League. Kane Williamson fulfilled this coveted dream by clinching his sole IPL championship with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016.
Throughout the 2016 season, Williamson contributed to his team’s success by participating in six matches, amassing 124 runs with a strike rate hovering around 100. Despite his absence from the playoff matches, fate granted him the opportunity to hoist the coveted trophy. The Sunrisers Hyderabad emerged victorious in the final clash against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, allowing Williamson to savor the taste of victory and lift the championship trophy aloft.
