New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who is currently leading the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018, idolized the legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar as a youngster, revealed during a promotional event organized by Rupa on Sunday (15 April).

Williamson made his Test debut in Ahmedabad eight years ago, hammering 131 in the first innings but did not get a chance to bat in the second, as the match ended in a draw against India, revealed he was ‘looking at what the batting maestro was doing that was a bit of distraction for him on the field’.

As per reports in PTI, Williamson told reporters, “Some of my favorite cricketers have been Indians. Indian player Sachin Tendulkar, I met him during my debut for New Zealand. We were playing against each other, and I was looking at what he was doing. That was a bit of distraction.”

He added, “The first time I met him was in my debut game for New Zealand. I was watching him on the field, wondering what he was doing. It was a really nice experience. He is a legend of the game.”

The 28-year-old right-hander feels lucky to get alongside the legends of the game likes of Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and pick their brains.

Williamson signed off by saying, “There were so many great players in the team. Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman...they are such fantastic people...open to talk to about the game of cricket. I was 19-20 and it was great opportunity to get alongside the legends of the game and pick their brains.”

Meanwhile, Williamson led SRH to three successive wins the IPL 2018, and will now take on the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on 19 April (Thursday) at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.