Kane Williamson Sidelined: Groin Injury Benches Kiwi Captain for India Test!

New Zealand's captain, Kane Williamson, will miss the upcoming second Test against India, which is set to begin on October 24 in Pune, as he continues to recover from a groin strain. Williamson sustained the injury during New Zealand's tour of Sri Lanka last month and has remained at home to focus on his rehabilitation.

With Williamson's absence, Will Young stepped into the No. 3 spot during the first Test in Bengaluru, where he scored 33 and an unbeaten 48, contributing to New Zealand’s strong performance.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead provided an update on Williamson’s recovery, saying, "We're monitoring Kane, and he's progressing well but still isn't 100% fit. We're optimistic that he will continue to improve and could be available for the third Test. However, we're taking a cautious approach to ensure he fully recovers."

New Zealand lead the series 1-0, having won the first Test by eight wickets. All-rounder Rachin Ravindra was named Player of the Match, scoring a century in the first innings and contributing an unbeaten 39* during the successful chase. Bowlers Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke were also instrumental, taking eight and seven wickets respectively.

The New Zealand squad traveled to Pune on Monday evening and is scheduled to begin practice on Tuesday. While Williamson’s absence is a significant blow for the team, New Zealand remains hopeful that he will be ready in time for the third Test in Mumbai.

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