In a big blow to defending champions Gujarat Titans, Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League 2023. The Kiwi star batter was injured while trying to stop the ball from going over the boundary rope. He managed to pull it back but got injured in the process.
The medical staff of the franchise treated Williamson, but he didn’t come out to bat for GT. His absence did not impact Hardik Pandya-led team as it won the game by 5 wickets to register a win in the season’s opening game against Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Kane was replaced by Sai Sudharsan, who came out to bat as an impact player, a new rule introduced by the BCCI during the ongoing season.
Williamson was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad and was bought on his base price of INR 2 crore by Titans for the new season. His absence has come at the wrong time as the management was counting big on him, considering his experience and performances in the tournament.
We regret to announce, Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the TATA IPL 2023, after sustaining an injury in the season opener against Chennai Super Kings.
We wish our Titan a speedy recovery and hope for his early return. pic.twitter.com/SVLu73SNpl
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) April 2, 2023
The Gujarat-based franchise hasn’t announced any replacement for the New Zealand player.