New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has given his complete backing to ICC’s newly introduced Test Championship set to kick in from 2019.

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai on Sunday, the Kiwi skipper hailed the new concept as a positive step for Test cricket.

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ICC’s latest model will see the top nine teams in Test cricket play three series away and an equal amount at home in a two-year cycle, with the two teams with the most points competing in a World Test League Championship final at Lord’s in London.

“It’s really a positive step forward to have to a championship to give Test cricket a little more meaning and it’s great for the viewer as well,” the Black Caps skipper said on being asked about the new model.

“When we do start that, there will be a lot more clarity around rankings. The viewer can see where teams are progressing and what each game stands for. In the past, although Test cricket was the pinnacle of the game, we were probably guilty of having a volume of cricket that perhaps people hadn’t quite understood what relevance was went on to add.

Speaking ahead of the three match ODI series with India starting on October 22 at Mumbai, Williamson was also full of praise for the hosts’ all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Certainly in the last year or two, he’s been playing outstandingly well. We saw it in the IPL. And even in the series against us, he bowled very well. Now, we’re seeing him come along with the bat and making contributions that any team would be pretty happy to have from their all-rounder,” he said about the India man.

“He’s a very vital player for the Indian side in terms of a fast bowling all-rounder that I suppose in these conditions, it accommodates the spinners so much, but to have a fast bowling all-rounder that bowls good pace and hits it out of the park is always exciting to have,” added the 27-year-old.

Williamson answered questions on a wide range of issues in the press conference including the Kiwi’s familiarity with Indian conditions owing to their Test and ODI tour of the country just last year.

The right-handed batsman explained that the visitors need to adapt well and be flexible in their approach during the limited-overs series.

“The thing with the wickets over here is they vary so much within the country,” Williamson said.

“So, you are required to adapt. I think from ground to ground you are never quite sure of the surface that you are going to get. And, I guess part of the adapting is the conditions and the surface but also the climate that you are in. So it is nice to be here a few days early and get guys used to the heat and the humidity.

“A number of guys have had experiences over here which is always helpful, but saying that we still want to prepare well. These two (warm up) games coming up are important for us and our preparation and hopefully we will hit the ground coming into the first one-day.”

The Kiwis will play two warm-up games against the Board President’s XI on October 17 and 19 at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai before moving on to the Wankhede stadium for the first ODI on October 22.