The inaugural cycle of ICC’s World Test Championship (WTC) is all set to come to an end in the next week. India and New Zealand will face off in the title clash at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Ahead of the final, the two talismanic captains of the sides, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson spoke about their friendship and how it developed over the years because of their similarities.
"We connected on different levels, we connected on a lot of things off cricket, in life, how we look at things, the larger reason for everything."
The Kane-Kohli friendship, narrated by the duo themselves 🤝#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/gYmnsqHqvL
— ICC (@ICC) June 19, 2021
In an interview with the ICC, the famous personalities opened up on their respect for each other and their camaraderie off the pitch. Williamson, who is set to lead New Zealand, lauded Kohli for his leadership abilities on the field and his gentlemanly behavior off it.
“Yeah, can’t speak high enough of Virat Kohli. You know, clearly as a player, he’s not only the best in our game but also a player that has changed the game I think with his appetite and hunger to push the boundaries of the sport and he’s at the front of that,” he said.
Virat Kohli, who has kept the Indian Team at the top of the ICC rankings for the fifth year in a row, has set a very high standard in regards to the performances on the field according to Williamson.
“As a leader, he’s formidable. He demands a lot from his players and the standard that he sets and they’ve had a huge amount of success under him but a gentleman as well. I have spent a lot of time over the years playing against one another and have a little bit to do with each other,” said Williamson.
His way of thinking is similar to mine – Virat Kohli on Kane Williamson
Virat Kohli had equal praise for his counterpart. He mentions that their similar personalities in life helped them connect on a level different to professionalism.
“I would say that out of the very few people I have sort of become friends with beyond a certain point of professionalism, Kane would be one of them. We connected on different levels, we connected on a lot of things off-cricket, in life, how we look at things, you know, the larger reason for everything and those kind of things. It was interesting to know that his way to look at things is very similar to mine when it comes to life and we really bonded on that,” said Virat Kohli.
When it came to Kane Williamson’s presence on the field, Kohli lauded his fierce competitiveness but mentioned that Kane would never push the boundaries by calling him a very respectful player.
“We have also played a lot of cricket since age-group cricket, under-19 and through to playing for India and New Zealand. We have stayed in touch, we just connect naturally and that’s how our friendship of sorts has been very organic and he’s a very nice guy, very respectful, a fierce competitor but is never disrespectful of your space of you as a person which I really admire about him,” Kohli concluded.