Why doesn't Kane Williamson have the same aura as Kohli or Root, despite having great records?

Kane Williamson is regarded as one of the best batsmen in international cricket, holding the record for the most runs for New Zealand across all formats. Apart from being a top-tier batter, he has also been an exceptional captain for the Black Caps, leading them to back-to-back ICC finals — the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup, the latter of which they won by defeating India. Despite his impressive records in international cricket, Williamson has not managed to make as big an impression as Virat Kohli or Joe Root, who currently hold the most international centuries among active players.

Williamson has been a prominent name in cricket since the start of his career. The former New Zealand captain made his first-class debut in December 2007, his U-19 debut against the touring Indian U-19 team that same year, and was named captain of the New Zealand U-19 team for the 2008 U-19 Cricket World Cup. Moreover, he is the only player to represent New Zealand in most ICC events since 2011.

His contributions to the 2019 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup were crucial, guiding his team to the final and earning him the Player of the Tournament Award. Later, he achieved a Test batting rating of 890, surpassing Steve Smith and Joe Root to become the number one-ranked Test batsman in the world. This accomplishment earned him a nomination for the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade, as well as the award for Test Cricketer of the Decade.

Williamson was the only New Zealander named in the ICC Test Team of the Decade (2011–2020). However, the star batter has recently struggled with form and injuries, which has led him to opt out of New Zealand cricket’s central contract list for the 2024-25 season, following the team’s disappointing group stage exit in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Despite his incredible achievements, Williamson is often seen as lacking the same "aura" as Kohli or Root. This can be attributed to several factors:

1. Marketing and Media Attention:

• Kohli’s Global Brand: Kohli enjoys a massive fan following, especially in India, where cricket is treated like a religion. His brand endorsements, social media presence, and marketability give him a global aura. Kohli’s image is everywhere — from ads to social media — making him a highly visible figure worldwide.
  
  
• Williamson’s Reserved Nature: Unlike Virat Kohli, Williamson does not heavily engage in global brand campaigns or social media. While highly respected, his low-profile off-field presence affects the level of fanfare around him.

2. Cricketing Cultures:

• India’s Cricketing Fervor: With cricket being a near-religion in India, the country’s immense population and intense media coverage further elevate their star players.
• New Zealand’s Sporting Landscape: In contrast, New Zealand is a smaller country where rugby often dominates the sports scene. As a result, even a player of Williamson’s caliber may not receive the same level of global recognition, especially in media-driven narratives.

3. Captaincy and Legacy:

• Root’s Leadership: Joe Root has led England in significant Test series and is often regarded as a central figure in modern Test cricket, especially with the spotlight on England’s Ashes rivalry.
  
  
• Williamson’s Leadership: Though Williamson has been an exceptional captain, leading New Zealand to a World Cup final and securing their first-ever ICC Test Championship victory, New Zealand’s cricketing achievements often receive less attention compared to those of India or England.