Not many cricketers command universal respect from their peers and fans like Kane Williamson does. He will fight hard until the final ball, put a hefty price on his wicket, bat out sessions without breaking sweat or smash it big if needed - all with a gentle smile on his face. 

The Kiwi stalwart scaled a new height today, becoming New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in Test cricket. Williamson, who is taking part in the second Test against England in Wellington, surpassed Ross Taylor's record of 7,683 runs in the longest format to take the numero uno spot among his countrymen. 

Williamson got there in style, with a century in the second innings against England in the second Test. He scored 132 off 282 balls, helping New Zealand pose a competitive target of 257 for the English after follow-on was enforced. 

An interesting fact to note, #TitansFAM, is that Williamson made his debut in Ahmedabad, at our own Narendra Modi Stadium, back in 2010. He introduced himself with a century on debut, scoring 131 off 299 balls. 

The 32-year-old became the first New Zealander to score 20 centuries in Test cricket, and currently has 26 three-figure scores to his credit in this format. He is the fifth highest run-scorer for New Zealand in ODIs, where he scored 6,554 runs at an incredible average of 47.83. 

Williamson was made captain across all formats after the retirement of Brendon McCullum in 2016. New Zealand reached the final of ICC World Cup 2019 and ICC T20 World Cup 2021 under his leadership, receiving the Player of the Tournament award in the former. 

His wait for an ICC trophy ended when New Zealand defeated India in the ICC Test Championship final in 2021, where he scored a half-century in the second innings to add a memorable accolade to his cabinet. 

Williamson is a bonafide superstar of the game and we cannot wait to see him don the Titans jersey. Gujarat Titans will be in action against Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the season at the Narendra Modi Stadium on March 31.