Explained: Why Kane Williamson won't play for New Zealand in the first Test against India

The first Test of the ongoing three-match series between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru finally begins on Thursday (October 17) after the first day's play was washed out due to rain. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first. New Zealand have added three pacers to the starting XI for the series opener but will be without the services of star batter and former captain Kane Williamson.

Williamson, who holds the record for most runs for Kiwis in the five-day format of the game, was not available for selection in the first Test. The right-handed batsman has not arrived in India yet.

While announcing New Zealand's squad for the away series against India last week, New Zealand selector Sam Wells said the 34-year-old cricketer would postpone his retirement due to a groin strain. Kane, who led the Kiwis to the 2021 WTC title, suffered groin problems during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last month and required a period of rehabilitation before joining the Test team in India.

“The advice we have received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury,” Wells said in an Oct. 9 press release. “We are confident that the rehabilitation will work.” According to plan, Kane will be available for the last part of the tour.”

In Williamson's absence, Mark Chapman was included in the Test squad as a replacement, but was unable to find a place in the playing eleven for the first Test.

Will Young has been named as the Kiwis' No.3 batsman for the first Test and Rachin Ravindra will slot at No.4 for the visitors, followed by Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips.

Play XIs

New Zealand: Tom Latham (centre), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William O'Rourke

India: Rohit Sharma (centre), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj