Former New Zealand captain has been ruled out of the 2nd Test vs India in Pune, starting on Thursday, as he is continuing to recover from a groin strain.
New Zealand created history in the 1st Test against India in Bengaluru last week when they defeated the hosts for the first time in a Test match since 1988. Tom Latham’s side will begin the second Test against Rohit Sharma-led team in a couple of days at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Thursday.
However, the visiting side have already suffered a big blow with the unavailability of former captain and one of ‘Fab Four’ batters, Kane Williamson, for the Pune Test as well. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) board informed that Williamson is continuing his rehabilitation from the groin strain he suffered in the second Test vs Sri Lanka last month.
New Zealand are 1-0 up in the three-Test series and a win in Pune will help them create history by winning their first-ever Test series in India. Williamson, who is yet to join the squad in India, suffered the injury during the recent Test series against Sri Lanka.
Blackcaps head coach Gary Stead said Williamson was not yet ready even though he has made significant progress. “We’re monitoring Kane and he’s tracking in the right direction, but isn’t yet 100 per cent fit,” said Stead, in a statement issued by New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
“We’re hopeful to see further improvement over the coming days and have him available for the third Test. We’ll give him as much time as possible to get himself ready, but certainly continue to take a cautious approach,” he added.
Squad News | Kane Williamson will not be available for the BLACKCAPS second Test match against India, as he continues his rehabilitation from a groin strain 🏏 #INDvNZ https://t.co/IE0uoYPZWt
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 22, 2024
Williamson has played in 102 Tests for New Zealand till date and scored 8,881 runs at an amazing average of 54.48 with 32 centuries and 35 fifties to his name. Against India, the former Black Caps skipper has scored 871 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 37.86 with 2 hundreds and 5 fifties.
In Test matches in India, Williamson has scored 503 runs in 8 games at an average of 33.53 with 1 hundred and 3 fifties. In the star batter’s absence, all-rounder Rachin Ravindra batted at his No. 4 position and scored a century in the first innings and an unbeaten 30-odd to guide his side to an eight-wicket win in the second innings.
The third Test is scheduled in Mumbai from November 1.
