Kane Williamson is not playing in the IPL this year, but the New Zealand veteran still has a sharp eye on the future of cricket. During a recent chat on the Bombay Sport Exchange show by the Times of India, he was asked a pretty simple question: who are the next big stars of world cricket?

And as always, Kane gave a calm, thoughtful answer. He named five young players who, in his opinion, could define the next era of international cricket once the likes of himself, Kohli, Smith, and Root move on.

Here’s the list he gave, and it’s a solid mix of flair, form, and future potential:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Shubman Gill
• Rachin Ravindra
• Harry Brook
• Cameron Green

Let’s take a look at why each name was cut.

ALSO SEE: T20 Mumbai League ropes in star players; Iconic batter becomes League's face

Yashasvi Jaiswal – The Breakout Star from India

Yashasvi’s rise has been nothing short of spectacular. At just 22, he’s already racked up nearly 1,800 runs in Test cricket at an average above 50, and he’s done it with flair. His aggressive strokeplay and fearless attitude make him a perfect fit for modern-day cricket, but it’s his calm under pressure that truly sets him apart. He’s also part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad and looks like someone who’s just getting started. ODI debut? Still pending. But it’s only a matter of time.

Shubman Gill – The Future Captain in the Making

Shubman Gill carries the aura of a future Indian captain, mature, composed, and incredibly consistent. With a classical technique and an eye for big runs, he’s already proven himself across formats. Nearly 2,800 runs in ODIs at an average close to 60, five Test centuries, and a cool head in high-pressure situations make him one of the most complete young batters in the game today. Whether it’s the IPL or a tense Test match overseas, Gill rarely looks out of place.

Rachin Ravindra – New Zealand’s Next Big All-Rounder

A true all-format asset, Rachin Ravindra has quietly become a key figure in New Zealand’s plans. He’s already notched up over 1,000 Test runs, including a mammoth 240, and can bowl handy left-arm spin. What makes Rachin special is his adaptability. he can bat anywhere in the order, adjust to any format, and still find ways to make an impact. Kane Williamson sees in him a mirror of the dependable Kiwi spirit.

Harry Brook – England’s Bazball Poster Boy

Harry Brook is redefining what aggressive Test batting looks like. Just 24 Tests in and he’s already closing in on 2,300 runs at an outrageous average close to 60. Eight centuries. A top score of 317. And he’s just been handed England’s white-ball captaincy. Brook is bold, fearless, and thrives under pressure, a perfect match for England’s high-octane approach under the Bazball banner. If there’s one player who looks like he could rewrite Test cricket's norms, it’s Brook.

Cameron Green – Australia’s Powerhouse in Progress

Cameron Green’s numbers may not scream superstar just yet, but the potential is unmistakable. He’s an old-school Test all-rounder with modern-day power over 1,300 runs in Tests, a top score of 174 not out, and the ability to crank it up with the ball. Injuries have slowed him down a bit, but when fully fit, Green is one of the most impactful players Australia has. Think of him as the long-term engine room of Aussie cricket.

ALSO SEE: Moment of the Match: Jaiswal to Starc – 'Very Well Bowled, Legend'

Still In the Game, Just Off the Field

Even though Kane went unsold in the last IPL auction, he’s stayed involved with the league through commentary and mentoring. He spent time at a local academy in Mumbai recently, sharing his experience with young players. When asked which shot he’d love to borrow from another batter, he smiled and picked Virat Kohli’s wristy leg-side flick. A classy choice, and a nice nod to a fellow great.

Williamson will be joining the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League later this month. After that, he’s expected back in New Zealand colours for a T20I tri-series in July featuring Zimbabwe and South Africa. Kane’s picks for the next Fab Five show he’s been watching closely and thinking ahead. These five have already made their mark, but with someone like Williamson backing them, the spotlight is only going to get brighter.

Now that the 2025 season of IPL is in full swing, aspiring cricketers and fans are able to see their favourite players up close, since players had a chance to interact and engage with the public. One engagement saw veteran New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson coaching the young Indian batting sensation, Sarfaraz Khan, in Mumbai, where both encouraged emerging young cricketers.
Williamson’s Guidance To Youngsters

One of the most talented batsmen of modern times Kane Williamson, known for his calm demeanour, is currently participating in IPL and recently tried to assist with mobile coaching on the streets of Mumbai. Specifically, the New Zealand captain provided some guidance on footwork, temperament and batting technique.

The entire audience were all ears during the training session, which immensely improved their skills, and thus it was surely the case where it was met with a lot of appreciation.

𝐊𝐈𝐖𝐈'𝐬 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐈! 👀

From international pitches to Mumbai’s streets, #KaneWilliamson trains the next-gen cricketers! 🤩 𝘼 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙨 & 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙧! ⭐#IPLonJioStar 👉 #KKRvSRH |… pic.twitter.com/tT7pu41pZf

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 3, 2025

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Sarfaraz Khan's Local Connect

The above session with experts was also attended by upcoming Indian cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, who is another product of Mumbai. Sarfaraz's aggressive batting style blended with his ability to connect with the local talent made him a great hit. Having started off in the domestic circuit and now sharing his experience with IPL, Khan told students how important it is to remain focused and disciplined and never give up on dreams.

A Star Sports Initiative

Star Sports created a unique opportunity during the IPL 2025, exciting cricketing legends Kane Williamson and Sarfaraz Khan with a close encounter with their young fans! Together, they conducted a surprise training session in Mumbai, helping to motivate and mentor loyal fans with aspirations to become cricketers.

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Social media was filled with positive comments praising them for their commitment to cricket and community. This initiative demonstrated the essence of the IPL joy, learning, and play for everyone's enjoyment, while providing a memorable experience for the young participants.

Kane Williamson has joined the proponents of specific international windows to bring some equity into the World Test Championship (WTC) and its matches. The former captain of New Zealand thinks that such structural changes may deal with the imbalance in the WTC, making it more competitive.

WTC Needs Adjustments for Fairness

Williamson, who captained New Zealand in winning the first WTC and held the title in 2021, pointed out the inequity of their allocation. He noted how Australia, England, and India dominate the number of Test Matches played and that the rest of the countries are “not ideal.” There are plans to review the WTC format before the 2025-27 cycle. One of the proposals being discussed is the allocation of defined periods for international cricket. Williamson underlined that having set periods for Test Matches increases the chances of competition in these games and assists in keeping Test cricket alive.

Enjoyed spending some time chatting about the future of the global cricketing landscape with Kane Williamson

His thoughts on international windows and potential tweaks to the WTC's structure belowhttps://t.co/YDd4wDFLWc

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) April 1, 2025

Also read: RCB vs GT : Match 14 Weather and Pitch report – IPL 2025

Effects of T20 Leagues on International Cricket

Williamson further explained the increasing phenomenon of franchise T20 leagues, which, while beneficial to players, can be detrimental to lesser-known cricketing nations. He noted that 50-over contests are all but extinct, with ODIs only being played during World Cups. Additionally, he mentioned that young players are more motivated by the IPL and other leagues, which suggests troubling times ahead for Test cricket.

Follow for more: https://www.cricketwinner.com/

While relinquishing a central contract, he declared that he will continue to represent New Zealand. In conversation, he accepted there is a need for better-defined international windows to manage franchise and international duties.

New Zealand cricket sensation Kane Williamson has joined the IPL 2025 in a new avatar. Despite not being picked by any team during the auction, Williamson is now a part of the commentary panel. Williamson is commenting for the first time, offering his extensive cricket knowledge to the broadcast team.

A New Venture in Commentary
Williamson is famous for his cool and calm nature on the pitch. His deep understanding of the game only makes him more valuable to the commentary team. The spectators are eager to hear his expert comments and analysis of matches.
One of the most fascinating things about his new position is his effort to commentate in Hindi. Despite Hindi not being his mother tongue, he is going the extra mile to learn and speak with Indian fans.

Kane Williamson's analysis in Hindi. 😀👌pic.twitter.com/YVfnHB7gFv

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) March 26, 2025

Learning Hindi with Harbhajan Singh
Some time back, a video went viral where New Zealand's Kane Williamson was being taught basic Hindi phrases by former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. The clip went viral overnight when Williamson's efforts to speak in Hindi were appreciated by the fans. It reflects his commitment to connecting with IPL's huge Hindi-speaking fan base.

ALSO READ:Watch: Swastik Chikara Talks About Virat Kohli & Casually Checks His Bag
Why This Move is Special
A New Perspective – Williamson's experience at the bat and as captain gives him a rich understanding of strategy, pitch, and player.
Connecting with Fans – His learning Hindi makes him a more endearing figure to Indian audiences.
A New Side of Williamson – He is accustomed to being perceived in a serious cricketing light. Now, the fans get to see his lighthearted and amusing side.

Here's something you didn't see coming, folks Kane Williamson is heading into the commentary box for IPL 2025!

Yes, you heard us right. The always-composed, always-classy Kiwi captain will now be offering his cricket acumen behind the microphone rather than with the bat. Having captained teams for years and delivering some of the most elegant innings we've ever witnessed, Kane is doing a change of things this season.

It's not yet certain whether this is a one-off performance or the beginning of a new chapter in his life, but one thing is certain his voice in the commentary box is going to be a treat. Picture those incisive comments, that witty sense of humor, and that soothing voice dissecting the mayhem of an IPL match. Pure gold.

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🚨 KANE WILLIAMSON AS COMMENTATOR 🚨

- Kane Williamson will be doing Commentary in this IPL 2025. pic.twitter.com/IPSWIPBY4q

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 21, 2025

Fans are already abuzz about how much fun it'll be to hear his perspective on the game from the opposite side of the rope. One of the greatest cricketing brains in the world is about to give us a front-row view into the way he thinks about the game.

This IPL just became a whole lot more interesting.

New Zealand was dealt a huge setback as captain Kane Williamson was sent back at a critical phase of the game. The seasoned batter, who is famous for his ability to remain calm in pressure situations, tried to push the ball towards the leg side but instead chipped it straight back to Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

Kuldeep, being the quick-witted bowler that he is, took the catch with ease, sending Williamson to the pavilion for only 11 runs off 14 balls. This is a big breakthrough for India, as Williamson was supposed to steady New Zealand's innings.

ALSO SEE: Dinesh Lad Shares Rohit Sharma’s Winning Mindset Before Champions Trophy

KULDEEP GETS THE BIG FISH, KANE WILLIAMSON..!!!! 💪 pic.twitter.com/kNTgvu6vRo

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 9, 2025

The celebrations of Virat Kohli & Kuldeep Yadav after Kane Williamson wicket. ❤️👌 pic.twitter.com/lAakhK9rPY

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 9, 2025

With their captain lost, New Zealand is left with an uphill battle to shore up their innings and score a fighting total. Viewers can watch the replay of Williamson's dismissal to learn how Kuldeep's intelligent bowling outwitted the star player.

Tomorrow is the most important day for both the nations India and New Zealand where these two countries would indulge in a final of Champions Trophy 2025. The match will be played in Dubai. The venue where India had played all their league matches including the semi-final. Though India has the upper hand in ODI matches against New Zealand when it comes to ICC tournaments it's vice versa. 

India might have been dominant force in the bilateral series but New Zealand has taken care where they need the most. Whom we consider the most incumbent customer becomes the most hardest at the highest level. New Zealand has given the most upset to India rather than Australia which is considered to be tuffest rival for India. 

Read More: Its Your Deeds Which Are More Important Says Shama Mohammad Backing Mohammad Shami On Ongoing Roza Issue

Most Tuffest Cricketers For their Country

If you go back and search in history we have got the most heartbreaks from the New Zealand. The stats clearly depicts that they have the upper hand in every ICC knockout out games. 

ICC Knockout Trophy (2000) 

New Zealand defeated India by 4 wickets with the help of Chris Cairns's century.

 ODI World Cup (2019)

Who can forget the run out of Ms Dhoni, a rain interepted match which had its twist and turns but at the end New Zealand won the match by 18 runs. 

ICC World Championship Trophy Final (2021) 

New Zealand won the emerging ICC World test championship final thanks to Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor crucial partnership which paved the victory for their maiden title. 

Read More: Williamson Can Be The Biggest Threat For India In Champions Trophy Final

Virat Kohli And Kane Williamson Statical Record In ICC Knockout Tournaments

Virat Kohli's ICC knockout tally against New Zealand

2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Quarter-Final: 24 runs (India won by 80 runs)

2014 ICC T20 World Cup Semi-Final: 1 run (India lost by 4 wickets)

2021 ICC World Test Championship Final: 44 runs (New Zealand won by 8 wickets)

2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Semi-Final: 117 runs (India won by 4 wickets)

Total Runs in ICC Knockouts: 186 runs

Average: 46.5

Kane Williamson ICC Knockout Tally Against India

2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Quarter-Final: 33 runs (New Zealand won by 1 wicket)

2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Semi-Final: 67 runs (New Zealand won by 18 runs)

2021 ICC World Test Championship Final: 52 runs (New Zealand won by 8 wickets)

2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Semi-Final: 102 runs (New Zealand lost to India by 4 wickets)

Total Runs in ICC Knockouts: 254 runs

Average: 63.5

This shows Kane Williamson has the slightly upper hand in the battle with Kohli, though having a stellar career Kohli couldn't reflect much. 

Though looking at history New Zealand has the upper hand against India in every ICC Knockout game and tomorrow being the final both team has an equal advantage, both teams have played here, and both teams have quality players which is going to be an epic encounter. Will India break their jinks record against New Zealand its wait worth for a while

Kane Williamson has be a silent killer in this Champions trophy tournament, at league phase he was striking the ball well but he didn't prolong much. Against India in league phase Kane Williamson scored 81 runs where others were struggling that too in the tricky Dubai pitch. India were lucky at that time no further partnership were retained if any small partnership would have stand there then it would have been game end for India. 

New Zealand is the most balanced side in this tournament as earlier mentioned they have all sought of players who can retaliate in any situation and New Zealand too have the experience of playing in Dubai till now they have figured it out what would be their further strategy to have a good game against India. 

Williamson A Big Threat On Indian Cards

You would have been very familiar with Kane Williamson's batting he has all sorts of shots and timing, and the best of him is he plays according to the situation. Even in a match against India Kane had a calculated approach for the chase. He was picking the spinners well and targeting the fast bowlers in a spin track pitch, where the rest of his mates were trembling he was looking like a lone warrior fighting for his team. Luckily Chakravarthy dismissed him. What if he had spent few more time in the crease. 

Read more: Virat Kohli Suffers An Injury Scare Ahead Of Big Final Against New Zealand

It would have been game on for New Zealand, that is the type of aura Kane Williamson possesses. Against India in ICC tournaments Kane has crossed the 50-run score in each of his three outings in ICC ODI events. He played a match-winning knock of 67 runs in the semi-finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup which India lost eventually while chasing, Against India he had the best average of 46.46 while batting first and while chasing he possessed an average of 44.25

Williamson Should Have An Early Exit

India has got beaten against New Zealand two times in 50 overs format one was the final of Champions Trophy 2000 and another one in 2019 World Cup semi final though it is world cup but we are talking about 50 overs game. New Zealand have dominated us whenever Williamson have scored for black caps. 

Read more: India May Drop Kuldeep Yadav Ahead Of Champions Trophy And May Acquire Their Secret Weapon

It's a need of urgency that we should get rid of Williamson as early as possible if he sticks then he may cause surreal damage like he caused to South Africa by his superb century. If you talk about pitch difference then the answer would be players like Williamson play according to the pitch his biggest strength is adaptation, he adapted to the current situation and plays according to it. That's why he is the most difficult customer to handle. 

South African player David Miller played a fantastic innings in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final but couldn’t take his team to win. Despite scoring a brilliant century, South Africa lost against New Zealand and was knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.  

Miller was frustrated with the ICC for the tight travel schedule. South Africa had to make a quick stop in Dubai before their semi-final in Lahore, which affected their preparation. After scoring an unbeaten 100 in South Africa’s 50-run loss while chasing 363, Miller openly criticized ICC for scheduling the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final.

After New Zealand Confirmed their place in the final, David Miller and Kane Williamson shared a warm moment on the field. Williamson had just finished his media talk, while Miller was about to start. Even though it was another tough loss for South Africa in the semi-finals, Miller showed his sportsmanship by backing New Zealand to win the final against India.

"The way this tournament has been conducted hasn't been ideal for all the teams except India. I'll be supporting New Zealand in the Finals."

David Miller said pic.twitter.com/Yn68Q43SOh

— Cricket Addictor (@AddictorCricket) March 6, 2025

"I’ll be honest with you. I think I’ll be supporting New Zealand. It’s only an hour-and-40-minute flight, but we had to do that after a game. We landed at 4 p.m., then had to fly back at 7:30 the next morning. It wasn’t ideal. It’s not like we had five hours to recover,” Miller told ESPNcricinfo.

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Even though he was frustrated, Miller said that New Zealand played better on the day. His century, which he dedicated to his newborn son, was a proud moment, but he would have gladly given it up for a South African win. New Zealand made the most of the good conditions after winning the toss and set a big target of 363 runs in the semi-finals. New Zealand will now face India in the Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Stadium on March 9 Sunday.

For nearly a decade, cricket fans worldwide admired the legendary 'Fab Four': Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root. These four players were the biggest faces in international cricket, across formats, for almost a decade, bombarding records with great consistency, technique, and leadership. However, as time passes, the once-invicible quartet is now showing signs of fading away, raising questions about the next era of cricketing greats.

The Fab Four In Tests
Test cricket has been the ultimate proving ground for these four marstros. Kohli's dominant captaincy and stroke play, Smith's unorthodox but very effective technique, Williamson's calmness, and Root's classical style make them a force to reckon with. However, with age comes a different team dynamic, slowly nearing the edge of this sheer joy. Though Root and Williamson continue to be key players for their teams, Smith and Kohli have, in more recent years, struggled to provide that consistency.

The Fab Four In ODIs
The Image in below post a noticeable shift - Smith has turned black and white, suggesting that he is no longer capable of using his own skills. While modern-day cricket embraces power-hitting and aggressive strike rates, the dominance of the Fab Four in ODIs has been challenged by rising stars such as Babar Azam and Shubman Gill. While Kohli is still as formidable as ever, his role continues to evolve, while Williamson and Root seem to be throwing in the towel and unable to maintain their high standards in ODIs.

The Fab-four are fading away 😢 pic.twitter.com/4bWDFpsdDP

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 5, 2025

Also Read : IPL 2025 ticket updates: booking, availability & official partners

The T20I Scenario of the Fab Four 
If there is one thing to take away from this image of T20 cricket, it is that the influential players of the format—Captain Kohli, Captain Smith, and Captain Root—all have reduced influences on T20. Power hitters and batting with a focus on the strike rate have largely edged out these players. Even though Williamson is hailed as an astute captain, he has not been hitting it big in terms of strike rates. As for Root, he has rarely made an appearance on the T20I stage.

The Future of the Fab Four 
Now as the Fab Four slowly dissolve, they leave behind unanswered questions: who will be winning these winks instead? Enter Babar Azam, Marnus Labuschagne, and Shubman Gill, who are already making their presence felt. But Kohli, Smith, Williamson, and Root will be an impossible feat to replicate. Cricket is in a state of transition.

Although the Fab Four show every sign of no longer being in their prime, their endeavors have forever inscribed them into history. Whether they will have a second innings or leave the scene gracefully will still play out. For now, it is the fans who can only turn back the pages of history and reminisce about the golden age they created.