Kane Williamson Vs Virat Kohli Test Career Comparison

Kane Williamson Virat Kohli. [Source - AFP]

Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli are two of the greatest batters to have graced Test cricket in the modern era. Across more than a decade, the pair carried the batting hopes of New Zealand and India respectively, producing countless memorable performances in the longest format of the game.

Their remarkable journeys have now come to an end. Kohli retired from Test cricket in 2025 after an illustrious career, while Williamson recently announced his retirement from international cricket in 2026, bringing the curtain down on another legendary chapter in world cricket.

With both icons now retired, it is the perfect time to look back at their achievements and compare their Test careers. From matches, runs and averages to centuries, double hundreds and captaincy records, here is how Williamson and Kohli stack up against each other as Test cricketers.

Kane Williamson vs Virat Kohli Batting Stats in Test

Kane Williamson edges Virat Kohli in both matches and runs, finishing his Test career with 110 appearances and 9,515 runs. Kohli, meanwhile, scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, underlining the consistency both stars displayed across their careers.

When it comes to batting average, Williamson holds a significant advantage. The former New Zealand captain averaged an outstanding 54.06 in Test cricket, while Kohli finished with a still-impressive 46.85, highlighting Williamson's exceptional consistency in the format.

The Kiwi also narrowly leads in major scores, registering 38 half-centuries and 33 centuries compared to Kohli's 31 fifties and 30 hundreds. While both are modern-day greats, Williamson's numbers give him a slight statistical edge in Test cricket.

Kane Williamson vs Virat Kohli in Away Tests

Notably, Kohli enjoyed greater success in overseas conditions, averaging 41.51 in away Tests compared to Williamson's 40.95. The difference becomes even clearer in the century count, with Kohli scoring 16 away hundreds against Williamson's 11.

Kane Williamson vs Virat Kohli Test Captaincy Records

Both Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli left a lasting legacy as Test captains for their respective countries. While Williamson led New Zealand with calmness and tactical awareness, Kohli brought an aggressive mindset that helped redefine India's approach to Test cricket.

In terms of results, the Indian maestro captained India in 68 Tests, winning 40 and losing 17, giving him an impressive win percentage of 58.82. Williamson, meanwhile, led New Zealand in 42 Tests, recording 22 victories and a win rate of 55 percent.

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One area where Kohli clearly stands out is overseas success. Under his leadership, India registered 16 away Test wins, the most by an Indian captain, while Williamson guided New Zealand to just three victories away from home during his tenure.

Kohli also oversaw India's rise from seventh in the ICC Test rankings to the No. 1 position, a spot they held for nearly five years. However, Williamson's crowning achievement came in 2021 when he led New Zealand to victory over India in the inaugural World Test Championship final in Southampton.

Kane Williamson vs Virat Kohli Test Batting Rankings Comparison

Both Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli were among the most consistent Test batters of their generation, reaching peaks that very few players in cricket history have been able to replicate. Their longevity at the top of the ICC rankings is a testament to the remarkable standards they maintained throughout their careers.

The New Zealander became the No. 1-ranked Test batter earlier in his career, first reaching the summit in November 2015. His counterpart, meanwhile, climbed to the top spot in August 2018 during one of the most challenging eras for batting, highlighted by his outstanding performances in England.

When it comes to peak ratings, Kohli holds the edge. The Indian superstar achieved a career-high ICC Test batting rating of 937 points in August 2018, the highest ever attained by an Indian batter in Test cricket. Williamson's highest rating was an equally impressive 919 points, achieved in January 2021.

Williamson, however, appears to have spent longer as the world's No. 1-ranked Test batter, holding the position for an estimated more than 600 days across multiple stints. The Indian batter's stay at the summit lasted 469 days, underlining just how dominant both players were during their respective peaks.

Kane Williamson vs Virat Kohli in Test: Conclusion

Statistically, Kane Williamson edges Virat Kohli in most aspects as a Test batter, from average to consistency across his career. However, numbers alone do not define impact, as both players brought different strengths to the longest format.

Kohli, meanwhile, played a massive role in popularizing Test cricket for a generation of fans, with his aggressive leadership and iconic performances. While Williamson holds the statistical edge and the WTC title as skipper, both remain special in their own way.

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