Vaughan suggests Kane Williamson looks to Virat Kohli for inspiration after NZ's T20 WC Exit

In a Group stage match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, New Zealand emerged victorious against Papua New Guinea, securing a 7-wicket win with a remarkable 46 balls left. Papua New Guinea batted first but struggled to build momentum, managing only 78 runs in 19.4 overs, with Charles Amini and Norman Vanua among the few to reach double figures. Lockie Ferguson's outstanding bowling performance of 3/0 in 4 overs earned him the Player of the Match title. In response, New Zealand confidently chased down the target in 12.2 overs, with Devon Conway top-scoring with 35 runs. Despite this win, New Zealand's failure to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the tournament underscores the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and the Black Caps' major failure in the competition.

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Michael Vaughan wants Kane Williamson to look up to IND star Virat Kohli after NZ got knocked out of the T20 WC

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan claimed Kane Williamson can learn from Indian cricketer Virat Kohli to raise his dwindling T20I strike rate. The 2024 T20 World Cup saw Williamson's New Zealand team unexpectedly leave after not making it to the Super Eight round.

With just 28 runs at an average of 14 and a strike rate of less than 88 in four games, the exquisite right-handed batter had a dismal campaign. This performance brought to light Williamson's continuous difficulties in Twenty20 Internationals, as he hasn't struck out more than 119 in 30 innings since January 2021.

Vaughan talked to Cricbuzz about possible improvements in Williamson's strike rate after New Zealand's most recent match against Papua New Guinea. Michael Vaughan said: 

“I don't think he (Kane) is ever going to be a player that strikes at 200. But look at Virat Kohli in this year's IPL, he went from Virat in previous years to suddenly Virat Kohli the modern 2024 player by going for it and being expansive, particularly against the spin, found a couple of lap slog shots which was tremendous to see. And maybe Kane needs to have a look at Virat and see if he can up his tempo by around 15%.”

“If he can get to 140-150 strike rate and be the glue for New Zealand or whatever franchise cricket team he plays for, he is an absolute in every team because you know he is going to be consistent and there or thereabouts scoring runs. He just needs to up that strike rate by just 15-20% and he'll be scoring consistent runs. I think we've still got a bit of watching Kane Williamson in T20 cricket to do.”

“I always look at Kane and feel he is the kind of batter that needs to be playing. He needs time in the middle and his rhythm comes and he starts to get that timing. Kane Williamson in the IPL where he is playing 2 or 3 games, don't think it does anything for his batting,”

Despite being unbeaten at 18 against Papua New Guinea, the seasoned batsman has had a dismal campaign, being dismissed early against Afghanistan and the West Indies. This marks the first time the Black Caps have failed to go beyond the group stage of the T20 World Cup.

New Zealand's campaign included losses to Afghanistan and the West Indies, but victories over Uganda and Papua New Guinea.