IND vs NZ: New Zealand will tour India without Kane Williamson, team announced for Test series
New Zealand has announced the team for the Test series against India. New Zealand has given Kane Williamson a place in the 17-member team but it seems difficult for him to play in the Test series. The biggest thing is that Kane is not coming to India with the team. Tom Latham will be leading the New Zealand team in the Test series against India. Latham replaced Tim Southee as captain after the team's poor performance in Sri Lanka. A 3-match Test series will be played between India and New Zealand, which is starting from October 16.
New Zealand team will fly to India without Kane Williamson
While announcing its Test team against India, the New Zealand Cricket Board has given a big update on Kane Williamson and the team's schedule. It said that the Kiwi team will fly to India on Friday, October 11. But, Kane Williamson's flight may be delayed on this tour. The reason behind this was stated by New Zealand Cricket as Williamson's groin injury.
It seems difficult for Kane Williamson to play in the test against India
Kane Williamson suffered a groin injury in the second Test against Sri Lanka played in Galle. According to New Zealand Cricket, he is currently in rehab, due to which he will not leave with the rest of the team. This means that Kane Williamson is unlikely to be seen playing in the first Test of the series to be played in Bengaluru. But, nothing can be said about his further playing in the Test series. Because there is no update on when he will be able to recover from the groin injury. The New Zealand Cricket Board has just expressed hope that he will recover for the upcoming matches.
Kane Williamson as back up, Bracewell is also only till the first test
The suspense over Kane Williamson's injury is the reason why Mark Chapman has been kept as a back-up in the New Zealand team for the India tour. Apart from this, Michael Bracewell will also be a part of the team for just one Test. After the first Test of the series, he will return home due to the birth of his child. Ish Sodhi has been selected for the second and third Tests.
The New Zealand team for the India tour again has mostly the same faces who recently played the Test series in Sri Lanka. The first Test between India and New Zealand will be played in Bengaluru from October 16, the second Test in Pune from October 24, and the third Test will be played in Mumbai from November 1.