New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson opened up on how he felt lifting the ICC Test mace for the first time after defeating India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

New Zealand thumped India by eight wickets in the WTC 2021 Final at Ageas Bowl, Southampton to be crowned as the first World Test Champions.

At the start of the reserve day, the match was evenly poised but the Kyle Jamieson removed Indian skipper Virat Kohli along with Cheteshwar Pujara during the first hour and then later bundled out Team India for just 170 runs, setting themselves a target of just 139 runs to chase. 

In the chase, R Ashwin removed both New Zealand openers in quick succession, but Kane Williamson (52*) along with Ross Taylor (47*) added an unbeaten 96 runs to take New Zealand home and win their first ICC title since the ICC Champions Trophy 2000.

WTC 2021: Kane Williamson says WTC final loss not a reflection of India's quality and depth

In a video on the NZC Twitter, Kane Williamson admitted that the Test Championship mace was heavier than he expected. 

“I mean we’ve never been able to hold it before so it was a different feeling. It is heavier than you think. We didn’t know it was real till we got our hands on it," Kane Williamson said in a video posted on New Zealand Cricket's official Twitter page.

Speaking on his team's performance, Kane Williamson said that he feels proud that veteran players like Ross Taylor and BJ Watling would see the WTC final win as one of the greatest moments of their careers.

“There’s a real mixture in the side of newer players and experienced players. You got guys like Ross (Taylor) who is clearly our most experienced. He has been there for so many years and achieving it like this after all the hard work from everybody, the likes of your Ross Taylors and BJ Watlings.

“These guys have given so much to our game. It is pretty satisfying that they will reflect on this as perhaps one of the greatest moments in their career,” he said. 

Here’s the video: