Uncertainty shrouds New Zealand’s prolific batsman Kane Williamson for the upcoming Test series against India as New Zealand Cricket announced on Wednesday, October 9 that Williamson would not travel to India as the team departs this Friday and he will remain at home for the rehabilitation process after sustaining a groin injury in the second Test against Sri Lanka, according to selector Sam Wells. In his absence, Mark Chapman, an uncapped all-rounder and a familiar face in New Zealand’s white-ball setup, has been included in a robust 17-man squad.

For the Black Caps, Williamson’s absence will be a real blow since they are keen not to suffer another series defeat following a humiliating 2-0 loss against Sri Lanka recently. New Zealand has also proven pretty poor on Indian soil, having never won a Test series against India, thus losing the series 1-0 in their last tour in 2021. They are now on a sequence of four lost Tests on the trot which includes a washed out match against Afghanistan.

Opening batter Tom Latham will lead the side for the three-Test series against India, succeeding Tim Southee as skipper after he quit in the wake of defeat to Sri Lanka. India is on a high. The cricketing giants have extended their record 18th successive Test series victory at home while having just completed a comprehensive whitewash of Bangladesh 2-0.

The All-rounder Michael Bracewell will be available for the first Test in Bengaluru on October 16. He would return home after the match to attend the birth of his second child. India-born leg-spinner Ish Sodhi will arrive into New Zealand to replace him for the balance of the series in Pune and Mumbai. The other players remain the same as those that played in the series against Sri Lanka.

New Zealand Squad: Tom Latham , Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.