New Zealand’s star batter Kane Williamson will not play the first Test against India, beginning on October 16 - here’s why.
Williamson, who stepped down as New Zealand’s captain in June this year and also declined a central contract for the 2024-25 season will not be in action during the first Test against India in Bengaluru from Wednesday.
The 34-year-old is New Zealand’s leading run-scorer, with 8,881 runs in 102 matches at an average of 54.48, scoring 32 hundreds, the last of which came against a second-string South Africa side in February.
Why will Williamson miss the first India Test?
Williamson currently is recovering from a groin strain, which he suffered during the second Test against Sri Lanka last month. It requires an extended period of rehabilitation, also preventing his departure to India with the rest of the squad on Friday.
READ: India vs New Zealand: Full team lists and squads
Williamson’s return for the last two Tests is not confirmed, though Black Caps selector Sam Wells remained hopeful. “The advice we've received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury. We're hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour.”
Mark Chapman was added to the squad in his place and is likely to make his debut in Bengaluru.
On Monday (October 14), his teammate Rachin Ravindra seemed less optimistic while providing an update on Williamson: “We’re not sure. I guess he [Williamson] will play it by ear. Some news will come out soon enough.”
Williamson’s long list of injuries
Williamson’s latest injury follows a long line of fitness setbacks of late. Having been troubled by a nagging elbow injury, Williamson hurt his right knee during the first game of the IPL last year, ruling him out for seven months. He returned in the ODI World Cup but was forced out with a fractured thumb, after injuring himself in his very first game on comeback.
In January this year, Williamson suffered a hamstring injury, which forced him out of the remainder of the Pakistan T20I series.
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