Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have indulged in fiery on field exchanges early in their careers but their relationship has evolved in recent times.
He first led the side in a T20 against West Indies at Bay Oval in November 2020 and became New Zealand's 24th ODI captain when he led the side in the only ODI against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2022.
India has only minor concerns, but New Zealand's troubles across batting and bowling departments are more pronounced.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji list the 50 Most Valuable Players in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
England took charge of the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday, riding Harry Brook's 171 to a first-innings lead of 151 before reducing the Black Caps to 155/6 on Day 3.
Durban's Super Giants pip Pretoria Capitals
First Trent Boult and now Willamsoin, does it set a dangerous precedent?
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy Group A match played between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.
With an average of 65.17, he is only second behind Don Bradman.
Tim Southee, once half of the most feared new-ball partnership in the game, brought down the curtain on a glittering 16-year Test career after New Zealand crushed England for a consolation win in Hamilton on Tuesday.
Since his comeback after an injury lay-off in August 2023, Jasprit Bumrah has been a key figure in India's success.
Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson hit fifties as New Zealand thrashed Pakistan by 46 runs in the first T20 International.
Kane Williamson will play both of New Zealand's warm-up matches but will skip the tournament opener against England.
Ravi Bishnoi's one-handed dismissal of Kane Williamson left everyone speechless.
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy final played between India and New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.
The Kiwi players and their families got a rare audsience with His Holiness The Dalai Lama in Dharamsala.
England finally faced some resistance from New Zealand in the shape of Tom Blundell's defiant century but dismissed the Black Caps for 259 to wrap up a thumping 323-run victory on the third day of the second Test on Sunday.
Skipper Kane Williamson was on Saturday ruled out of New Zealand's next three World Cup matches, including the India game.
Harry Brook continued his remarkable form in New Zealand with a second century of the series to drive England to 280 before the tourists reduced the Black Caps to 86 for 5 at the close of play on Friday, the first day of the second Test.
The Gujarat Titans' off-days are always special. After their stunning edge-of-the-seat win over hosts Rajasthan Royals, the Titans were in for more thrill.
Tim Southee is eyeing the third Test against England as his swan song in the format but will make himself available for selection if the Black Caps make the WTC final next year.
The ICC Champions Trophy is set to kick off in Pakistan, marking the country's first ICC event since the 1996 World Cup.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said he will give Kane Williamson every chance to prove his fitness over the two weeks before the World Cup.
The tourists will be without batsman Kane Williamson in Bengaluru after the former skipper opted out of the opener due to a groin injury, while paceman Ben Sears was ruled out of the series with a knee injury and replaced by Jacob Duffy.
'He uses his feet really well to go down the pitch to smother the turn if needed. He then goes and uses the crease as well. So, he's a very good player. I don't think he is going to be fussed about playing Kuldeep. He will know how to tackle him.'
'It's obviously a great challenge that's ahead and I guess it's something to look forward to.'
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson paid rich tribute to outgoing pacer Trent Boult, saying the left-arm fast bowler will remain a great servant of New Zealand and world cricket.
Hyderabad are yet to announce who will lead the side in absence of the New Zealand captain.
Alastair Cook backs Joe Root to surpass Sachin Tendulkar as leading run-getter in Test cricket
Will India drop Rohit for the Sydney Test and put Kohli on notice? Or will the team management grant the senior pros a final chance to redeem themselves?
England star Joe Root is cementing his status as one of the greatest players as he achieved new career-high rating in the latest ICC Men's Test Batter Rankings.
New Zealand find themselves in the a difficult group with two-time champions West Indies and Afghanistan also vying for the the top two spots.
Former captain Daniel Vettori termed New Zealand's 3-0 Test series win on Indian soil as his country's greatest achievement while ex-batter Ross Taylor said he did not think of a clean sweep even "in our wildest dreams".
Gujarat released a video of Williamson in the early hours of Monday confirming that the Kiwi star was flying home.
Recovering New Zealand captain Kane Williamson returned to the net on Tuesday to face throwdowns keeping alive his faint hopes of playing the 50-overs World Cup in India later this year.
New Zealand pace duo of Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson are set to return for Monday's World Cup match against the Netherlands but regular skipper Kane Williamson will continue to sit out, head coach Gary Stead said on Sunday.
New Zealand eye consolatory win over PNG
In-form Sri Lanka right-hander Kamindu Mendis is another player on the move, with the 26-year-old improving five places to 11th and reaching a new career-high rating after he scored another century in the second Test of his side's recent series with New Zealand.
Latham also reminded his team not to lose focus on the second Test amid the revelries after winning the first match, as India has the firepower in its ranks to hit back.
With New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson set to miss the ODI World Cup in all likehood, he may don the mentor's hat.
