Does Kane Williamson Fit Into New Zealand's Plans For T20 World Cup 2026?

Rajgeeta Yadav

Kane Williamson [Source: AFP]Kane Williamson [Source: AFP]

On September 15, Kane Williamson has confirmed he’ll be available for the upcoming T20 World Cup, though he’ll miss next month’s T20 series against Australia. 

Notably, five New Zealand players, Lockie Ferguson, Kane Williamson, Finn Allen, Devon Conway, and Tim Seifert, have signed casual contracts with the board, securing their participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The contracts also commit them to upcoming T20I series, with Williamson being the only exception.

That brings up a big question: does New Zealand still need Williamson in their T20 side, or is it time to move on?

Kane Williamson’s Recent T20I Journey

The last time Williamson played a T20I was at the 2024 World Cup, where his final game came against Papua New Guinea on June 17. Since then, New Zealand have played multiple series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, but Williamson has been absent after choosing not to accept a central contract last year in order to leave himself free to play in Twenty20 and other leagues around the world.

Looking at his career numbers; he has scored 2,575 runs in 93 T20Is, averaging 33 with a strike rate of about 123. 

  • While those are solid numbers, they highlight his biggest issue, he plays at a slower pace compared to today’s aggressive T20 style. 
  • His game is steady and traditional, which can sometimes slow the innings down. His boundary percentage is also on the lower side compared to modern T20 batters.

The Declining Strike Rate Of Kane Williamson

The trend in Williamson’s recent years tells the story. Take a look:

  • 2021: 12 innings, 298 runs, strike rate 117.3
  • 2022: 13 innings, 441 runs, strike rate 118.8
  • 2024: 5 innings, 111 runs, strike rate 124.7

While there’s slight improvement, his strike rate is still behind the pace of the modern game. Compare that to the new generation of players who consistently score at 130-150 strike rates, and the gap is clear.

At the 2024 T20 World Cup, Williamson’s struggles stood out even more, just 28 runs across four matches at an average of 14 and a strike rate of 87.5. He looked out of touch, and his form was one of the reasons behind New Zealand’s early exit.

The Alternatives for New Zealand Ahead Of 2026 T20 WC

New Zealand doesn’t lack options. 

  • Players like Daryl Mitchell, and Mark Chapman offer more versatility, they can accelerate faster and contribute in multiple roles. 
  • Then there’s Rachin Ravindra, who has already made an impact in white-ball cricket with a strike rate of 136. Plus, he brings the added advantage of being a left-handed batter and a handy spinner.
Player
Inns
Runs
Ave
SR
Rachin Ravindra2845220.54136.14
Mark Chapman80175226.54133.13
Daryl Mitchell79154027.01137.74

(T20I stats of Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell)

Devon Conway is another strong anchor option, which means the Black Caps don’t necessarily need Williamson to play that stabilising role anymore.

Williamson's Injury Prone Body Adds To His Woes

Another major concern is Williamson’s fitness. In recent years, he’s had a string of injuries: a ruptured ACL in IPL 2023, a fractured thumb at the 2023 ODI World Cup, a hamstring injury against Pakistan, and even a groin strain in late 2024. 

Most recently, he picked up yet another injury during the Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai against India. Notably, his last bit of action came during The Hundred, but these constant setbacks have made it hard for him to build momentum.

On top of that, Williamson is now 35 years old. Age naturally slows recovery and can affect consistency, especially in T20 format. These factors together raise serious questions about whether he can keep up with the demands of the format.

The Verdict

Not stepping away from the fact that Williamson is not a great player and not a proven match-winner in Tests and ODIs. But in T20Is, his stats are not good enough to make New Zealand choose him over the players who are doing well. His slow scoring rate, poor recent form, and constant injuries make it hard to justify building a team around him anymore.

The tough reality for the Black Caps is this: while his leadership and experience are valuable, younger and more dynamic players may give them a better chance of competing in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in February.