Explained: Why Kane Williamson won't play in the first India-New Zealand Test | IND vs New Zealand

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

Williamson, who stepped down as New Zealand captain in June this year and also turned down 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 games at an average of 54.48 and has scored 32 hundreds, the last of which came against a second-tier South African team in February.

Why will Williamson miss India's first Test?

Williamson is currently recovering from a groin strain he suffered in the second Test against Sri Lanka last month. It requires a longer rehabilitation period and also prevents him from leaving for India with the rest of the team on Friday.

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

Williamson's return for the final two Tests has not been confirmed, although Black Caps selector Sam Wells remains hopeful. “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. We are confident that Kane will be available for the final part of the tour if rehabilitation goes according to plan.”

Mark Chapman has been included in the squad in his place and is expected 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. Some news will come out soon.”

Williamson's long injury list

Williamson's latest injury follows a long series of recent fitness setbacks. Williamson suffered from a nagging elbow injury and injured his right knee in the first IPL game last year, which kept him out for seven months. He returned in the ODI World Cup but was forced out with a broken thumb after getting injured during the comeback in his first game.

In January this year, Williamson suffered a hamstring injury which forced him out of the remainder of Pakistan's T20I series.

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