Explained: Why Kane Williamson Is Not Playing For New Zealand In 1st Test Against India

The first Test of the ongoing three-match series between India and New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will finally start on Thursday (October 17) after Day 1’s play was washed out due to rain. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has won the toss and opted to bat first. New Zealand has included three pacers in the playing XI for the series opener, but they will miss the services of star batter and former captain Kane Williamson.

Williamson, who holds the record for scoring most runs for Kiwis in the five-day format of the game, was not available for selection in the first Test. The right-handed batter is yet to arrive in India.

While announcing New Zealand’s squad for the away series against India last week, New Zealand selector Sam Wells said that the 34-year-old cricketer will delay his departure due to a groin strain. Kane, who led the Kiwis to the WTC title win in 2021, experienced groin discomfort during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last month and needed a period of rehabilitation before joining the Test squad in India.

“The advice we’ve 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 a release on October 9. “We’re hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan, Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour.”

In the absence of Williamson, Mark Chapman was added to the Test squad as his cover, but he failed to find a place in the playing XI for the first Test.

Will Young has been included as No. 3 batter by the Kiwis for the first Test, and Rachin Ravindra will come out at No. 4 for the visitors, followed by Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, and Glenn Phillips.

Playing XIs

New Zealand: Tom Latham (C), 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 (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj