David Warner puts out heartfelt post for retired Kane Williamson, says 'Whether we were teammates or opponents...'

New Zealand batting maestro Kane Williamson has retired from international cricket with immediate effect on Friday, June 12. The shocking announcement came right in the middle of New Zealand's tour of England, just ahead of the second Test match scheduled for next week. Regarded as one of the finest batters of the modern era, the former Kiwi captain brings a curtain down on a glorious 16-year international career. Among his numerous accolades, his crowning achievement remains leading New Zealand to victory in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021, where they defeated India by eight wickets in the final.

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Kane Williamson calls it quits to international cricket

Beyond his international exploits, Williamson also left an indelible mark on the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He famously took over the franchise's captaincy under challenging circumstances in 2018 after David Warner was suspended due to the ball-tampering scandal. Williamson enjoyed a monumental season that year, winning the Orange Cap by amassing 735 runs and leading SRH all the way to the final. He would later resume leadership duties for the Orange Army during his final seasons with the franchise.

David Warner's special tribute for his friend Williamson

Following the retirement news, Warner took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message for his former SRH teammate. The two shared a highly successful bond in the IPL, playing 42 matches together for Hyderabad between 2015 and 2021, a stint that included lifting the IPL trophy together in 2016. Despite later captaincy switches, the mutual respect between the two modern-day greats remains incredibly strong.

"Kano, It's been an absolute privilege to play both alongside you and against you over the years. The runs the records and the achievements speak for themselves but what has always stood out most to me is the person behind it all. You've been one of the genuine good blokes of world cricket humble, respectful, and someone who played the game in the right spirit every single time you walked onto the field," Warner's post read.

"Whether we were teammates or opponents I always loved sharing the field with you because you brought out the best in everyone around you. Congratulations on an incredible career mate. It's been an honour to call you a teammate an opponent, and most importantly, a friend. Wishing you and the family all the best for whatever comes next," Warner's post further read.

Williamson's illustrious 16-year-long career spanned over 378 matches, in which he amassed 19,346 runs at a stellar average of 48.12, which is punctuated with 48 tons and 103 fifties.