IPL 2018 | Some of my favorite cricketers have been Indians, reveals Kane Williamson

It’s been another successful start to the Indian Premier League for 2016 IPL winners, Sunrisers Hyderabad who are on the top of the IPL table after three wins from three matches. Many questioned the team's credibility this year in the absence of skipper David Warner, who was banned ahead of the start of this year’s tournament. But the team has thrived under the leadership of Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson to beat the likes of Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders in their last three outings.

Kane Williamson has been a guiding force for the Hyderabad-based franchise who have thrived under his leadership. The Kiwi batsman revealed that he drew inspiration from some of the former Indian cricketers for inspiration over the years.

"Some of my favorite cricketers have been Indians. 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," Williamson told reporters during a promotional event.

Williamson singled out former Indian batsman and cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar whom the New Zealand player has idolised ever since he was 19 years old.

"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," said Williamson who is rated as one of the best batsmen of his times along with Virat Kohli, Joe Root and Steve Smith.

Williamson added that he was privileged to have worked with the likes of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in recent times. The 27-year old said he learnt a lot under the tutelage of former Test deputy Laxman who was part of the SRH dugout.

"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," Williamson added.