Sunrisers' Williamson thoroughly enjoying first IPL stint

Visakhapatnam, April 21 (IANS) New Zealand and Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Kane Williamson said his first Indian Premier League (IPL) outing has been a very different experience playing alongside local Indian players and international cricketers whom he had played so much against.

"It's great to be involved alongside a lot of local Indian players who are extremely talented and also alongside some international cricketers who you have played so much against," Williamson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo on Tuesday.

The Kiwi had played in India before with the New Zealand national team, and as part of the Northern Districts squad in last year's Champions League T20, but Williamson said his first IPL has been a "very different experience in front of such a passionate crowd."

"It is very different and naturally, playing in India is a great experience in front of such a passionate crowd," he said.

Williamson is convinced his team can qualify for the knockout stages of IPL 2015 and said Hyderabad are not very "far from playing the style of cricket" they want to. 

"It's very important to get the balance right, to play the style of cricket we want to play and I believe we're not far away from that," he said. 

While his recent success has made many observers believe Williamson has the makings of a future great, he says he doesn't think about such tags at all.

He is already New Zealand's vice-captain but insists the prospect of taking over as captain doesn't consume his thought process.

"Brendon McCullum's doing a fantastic job and I'm very much enjoying learning from him at the moment," the 24-year-old said.

"If it's to happen in the future it is fine but if it happens to be someone else, then that's also fine. At the moment, I'm looking to play my part in the team and, like I said, do as much as I can for the team," Williamson said.