Mumbai – In a significant blow to the New Zealand cricket team, star batsman Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the third and final Test against India at Wankhede Stadium due to injury. This development comes on the heels of New Zealand's historic series win against India, marking their first Test series victory on Indian soil. Williamson, who has been sidelined due to a thigh injury sustained during the Sri Lanka tour earlier this year, also missed the first two Tests in Bengaluru and Pune. Despite making good progress in his recovery, New Zealand Cricket has opted to take a cautious approach, ensuring that Williamson is fully fit ahead of the upcoming home series against England, which begins on November 28 at Hagley Oval.
"Kane is recovering from his injury but is not ready to play in the full team," said New Zealand coach Gary Stead. "While there are signs of a quick recovery, we believe it's best for him to remain in New Zealand to focus on the final stages of his rehabilitation." In Williamson's absence, the Kiwi team, under the leadership of Tom Latham, managed to secure a historic series victory by winning the first two Tests. In the first Test, New Zealand bowled out India for just 46 runs in their first innings and claimed victory by eight wickets.
Although India bounced back in the second Test with a 113-run win, the series triumph remains a remarkable achievement for the visitors. As the series finale approaches, the stakes are high for India, as they seek to secure a win to bolster their standing in the World Test Championship Final. The excitement builds as cricket fans prepare for the decisive match beginning today at Wankhede Stadium, where the Indian team will aim to avenge their earlier defeats and showcase their resilience on home turf.