Ahead of their India Tour, New Zealand has suffered a major setback with the announcement that Kane Williamson will most likely miss some matches of the upcoming Test series against India. Williamson is suffering from a groin injury that he got during New Zealand’s 154-run loss to Sri Lanka last month and has been recommended to stay at home for rehabilitation ahead of the first Test against India in Bengaluru on October 16.
Despite the injury, New Zealand hasn’t ruled out Williamson for the first ICC World Test Championship match. However, the world No. 2 Test batter will not travel to India with his colleagues on Friday and is expected to play only in the second and third games of the three-match series.
With Williamson’s departure, New Zealand has added Mark Chapman to their team for the series, with the 30-year-old set to make his Test debut after a succession of strong performances in white-ball games for his country.
Meanwhile, All-rounder Michael Bracewell will travel with the rest of the squad for the first Test only because he has to return home after that due to his second child’s birth. Leg spinner Ish Sodhi will replace him in the second and third tests.
Currently, New Zealand is ranked sixth in the World Test Championship, while India is in first place following a recent series whitewash of Bangladesh.
New Zealand Squad for Test Series against India
Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Kane Williamson (2nd & 3rd Test only), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Ish Sodhi (2nd & 3rd Test only), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Ben Sears, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Will Young
