Star New Zealand batter Kane Williamson, who wasn’t a part of the first Test against India in Bengaluru, won’t be a part of the 2nd Test in Pune starting on October 24. The right-hander suffered a groin injury last week and went on to miss the first Test at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He was replaced by Will Young who scored 33 and 48 runs in both innings of the first Test, respectively. The New Zealand Cricket board confirmed Williamson’s unavailability for Pune Test.
Kane Williamson hasn’t fully recovered from the groin injury and is currently in New Zealand for rehabilitation. Head coach Gary Stead also confirmed that the 34-year-old isn’t 100% fit to play. “We’re monitoring Kane and he’s tracking in the right direction, but isn’t yet 100% fit. We’re hopeful to see further improvement over the coming days and have him available for the third Test,” Gary Stead said in a statement released by New Zealand cricket board.
New Zealand eye their first Test series win in India
New Zealand stunned in the first Test in Bengaluru as the visitor won by 8 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series. New Zealand bowlers put India on back foot from the starting as the hosts were bundled out for just 46 runs in the first innings. After taking a massive 356-run lead in the first innings, New Zealand bowled India out for 462 runs in the second innings and chased the target of 107 runs with eight wickets in hand.
New Zealand registered their first Test win in India after 36 years. Now the BlackCaps have a chance to win their first-ever Test series in India after winning the second Test in Pune. With this New Zealand can also become the first visiting team win a Test series in India after 2012.
