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Explained: Why Kane Williamson will not feature in the first Test between India and New Zealand | IND v NZ

New Zealand star batsman Kane Williamson will not play the first Test against India starting October 16 – here’s why.

Williamson, who resigned as New Zealand captain in June this year and also declined a central contract for the 2024-25 season, will not feature in 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 and scoring 32 hundreds, the last of which came in February against a second-string South African side.

Why will Williamson miss the first India Test?

Williamson is currently recovering from a groin injury, which he sustained during the second Test against Sri Lanka last month. It requires a longer period of rehabilitation, which also prevents his departure to India on Friday with the rest of the team.

READ: India vs New Zealand: Complete team lists and squads

Williamson’s return for the final two Tests has not been confirmed, although Black Caps selector Sam Wells remained hopeful. “The advice we have received is that it is best for Kane to rest and recuperate now, rather than risk aggravating the injury. We are hopeful that, if rehabilitation goes according to plan, Kane will be available for the final leg 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 as he gave an update on Williamson: “We’re not sure. I think he (Williamson) will play it by ear. News will come out soon enough.”

Williamson’s long list of injuries

Williamson’s latest injury follows a long string of fitness setbacks of late. Williamson has been suffering from a nagging elbow injury and hurt his right knee in the first match of the IPL last year, ruling him out for seven months. He returned in the ODI World Cup but was forced out with a broken thumb after injuring himself in his very first match on his 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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