New Zealand white-ball skipper Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the ongoing IPL 2023. Playing for Gujarat, he made an effort to save a six in the opening game of the tournament against Chennai Super Kings. In this process, Williamson injured his knee and was carried on the shoulders by his teammates. Sai Sudarshan replaced him in the game while the Kiwi was ruled out.
The New Zealand white ball captain has been replaced by Dasun Shanaka. The latter went unsold in the player auction last December. However, after his exploits in the white-ball series in India early this year, the fans wanted him to be signed by one of the IPL teams. Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has done ‘This Shall Too Pass’ with the 2021 Test Championship-winning captain.
The former took to Twitter and wrote “Bounce back stronger. Get well soon Kane Williamson”.
Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the ODI World Cup too
On the other hand, the right-hander is set to be ruled out of the ODI World Cup 2023. The tournament will be played in October-November this year. Given the nature of the injury (anterior cruciate ligament), it will take around six months or more to recover
“Naturally it’s disappointing to get such an injury, but my focus now is on having the surgery and starting rehab,” Kane Williamson said after being ruled out of the IPL. “It’s going to take some time, but I’ll be doing everything I can to get back on the field as soon as possible.”
“You take Kane the player for a start, but then Kane the leader and the person he is within our group as well, it’s a huge spanner in the works for us,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said in a press release by NZC. “We haven’t given up hope that he might be right but at this stage it does look unlikely. Our first thoughts are with Kane at the moment, it’s a tough time for him, it’s not an injury you expect…it hits you pretty hard.”
This is how Twitter reacted
My man is most empathetic, kind-hearted , helpful, caring, loving, concerned, sympathetic ??
Thank God for making me a Babar Azam fan ??#BabarAzam #KaneWilliamson pic.twitter.com/QQ1mp5snzm— Abdullah Sultan //BA56? (@IAbdullahs56) April 6, 2023
We wanna see you back soon in International Cricket pic.twitter.com/UeamOjAECf
— King Babar Azam Army (@babarazamking_) April 6, 2023
King always have big heart ????
— King Babar Azam Army (@kingbabararmy) April 6, 2023
Great Batter, Great Human being.
— Zeeshan Qayyum (@XeeshanQayyum) April 7, 2023
Great sportsmanship from King Babar Azam pic.twitter.com/TV3KVERD3b
— Nawaz ?? (@Rnawaz31888) April 6, 2023
GWS Kane ????? pic.twitter.com/m0tkB1ra3v
— COVER DRIVE ??? (@BA_56_) April 6, 2023
Get well soon Kane Williamson?? pic.twitter.com/CoXQa0onwP
— Ehtisham Siddique (@iMShami_) April 6, 2023
— Ahmed. (@ahmxidd) April 6, 2023
King for a reason!
Massive respect for @babarazam258 & best wishes for Kane Williamson.— sehrish.qureshi (@Isehrishqureshi) April 6, 2023
Babar yaar kitna dil jeeto gey ??? as Human you are so good therefore people like Kane, Rizwan have bonds with you & all PCT players respect & love you !! ?? pic.twitter.com/TfFQHYaJgn
— ??b?? ???? +????? (@alamgirraja94) April 6, 2023
Skipper The King ??? pic.twitter.com/9cPshps6Kb
— Abu Bakar Tarar (@abubakarSays_) April 6, 2023
