New Zealand white-ball skipper Kane Williamson is set to be ruled out of the ODI World Cup later this year. In a statement released by New Zealand Cricket (NZC), he needs to go through knee surgery. Williamson ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) trying to save two runs in the opening game of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL) against Chennai.
Playing for Gujarat Titans at the time, he managed to save a boundary but fell on his knees. The right-hander failed to stand up and was carried by his teammates. Kane was replaced by Sai Sudarshan as an impact sub. On the other hand, the team has brought in Sri Lanka white-ball skipper Dasun Shanaka as Kane’s replacement.
Meanwhile, the 2021 Test Championship-winning captain had said that he would do everything to get back on the field as soon as possible.
“Naturally it’s disappointing to get such an injury, but my focus now is on having the surgery and starting rehab,” he said. “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.”
We haven’t given up on Kane Williamson’s fitness: Gary Stead
Reacting to the development, the Blackcaps head coach, Gary Stead said that Kane the leader is a huge loss for the team. The former added that the team hasn’t given up hope for Kane getting fit.
“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. “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
People blaming IPL for this are so absurd . Jonny Bairstow got injured while playing Golf, Jofra got injured by a Fish Tank , Rishabh pant got into an Accident . You can run from any Injury, it can happen to anyone .
— WTF Cricket (@CricketWtf) April 6, 2023
The Master will be back in Black…..?
Speedy recovery King Kane ????? pic.twitter.com/HOUlxHkSaC— Captain Maverick (@Ro_Flex__45) April 6, 2023
Dhire dhire samjh aa rha hai ki kyu Gayle 1-2 run ke liye jyada mehnat nhi krta tha fielding batting dono me
— Pradyuman (@Prradyuman) April 6, 2023
2 Runs cost him the world cup and GT solid middle-order batter…? gutted for him… come back strong champion…????
— Anant (@amipara_anant) April 6, 2023
Actually he used to field in between the 30 yard circle, but this Pandya sent him to boundaries to field.
— Amarnath (@Amarnat01528476) April 6, 2023
Who tought that it was his last world cup..? pic.twitter.com/Ogbf7av34c
— ? (@Ro45King) April 6, 2023
Apology needed from Gujrat Titans now, they made him feel insecure about his spot, resulted in Injury
— NeatObserver-Rucha (@NeatObserver) April 6, 2023
'Feel for Kane Williamson.
Gave his everything to save a few runs, but that effort ruled him out of the World Cup. He was POTS in the previous WC, a big blow to New Zealand. It would've been nice to see him lead NZ in India for the WC.' pic.twitter.com/UQsRNxFNqc
— Mayuresh Pitale (@PitaleMayuresh) April 6, 2023
Always placed in every fans ??@_KaneWilson5
Warriors are always victorious in each and every scenario, making them a shining star in the eyes of each and every admirer.#KaneWilliamson pic.twitter.com/ddo4r9Atgk
— Identical-twins shalusandhya ? (@shalukuk) April 6, 2023
that's the brutal nature of the sport
India missed Bumrah badly in the recently T20 World Cup and you'll have more such examples
Keeping oneself fit & available is at the core of one's contribution
Indeed survival is the biggest performance lever#survival #highperformance
— Swaroop D (@swaroopspaces) April 6, 2023
