‘Ab nhi khelega Kane kabhi IPL’ – Fans upset as Kane Williamson likely to miss World Cup 2023, set to undergo knee surgery
Kane Williamson suffered a major setback when he injured himself while playing for Gujarat Titans against Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League 2023 season opener. He hurt himself while attempting to save a six off Ruturaj Gaikwad’s bat. As a result, he landed on his knee and had to be removed from the field right away.
In the meantime, Williamson will miss this year’s ODI World Cup in India after scans revealed that he had ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which will require surgery to repair.
“I’ve received great support over the past few days and want to thank both the Gujarat Titans and New Zealand Cricket for that. Naturally, it’s disappointing to get such an injury, but my focus now is on having the surgery and starting rehab,” Williamson said in a New Zealand Cricket statement.
“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. I look forward to doing what I can to support Gary and the team over the next few months.”
The recovery time from ACL reconstructive surgery is about six months, which is how far away the World Cup in India is right now. However, Williamson is expected to have his surgery within the next three weeks because it is best to wait for the swelling in the knee to go down before surgery.
We certainly haven’t given up hope: Gary Stead
Head coach Gary Stead, on the other hand, hasn’t completely ruled out Williamson playing in the marquee event. “From our perspective, we certainly haven’t given up hope on that, and Kane will meet a number of milestones in the next six months or so,” he said.
“You take Kane the player, for a first 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. Our first thoughts, obviously, are with Kane at the moment, it’s a tough time for him, it’s not an injury that you expect is going to happen, it comes out of the blue and it obviously hits you pretty hard at the time.”
Here is how Twitter reacted to Kane Williamson’s news
Injuries can happen anytime and anywhere in sports. A player cannot sit idle and without match practice, especially when India is hosting the World Cup this year
— Sri Hari (@vpsrihari) April 6, 2023
This is the price you pay for your greediness to play ipl
— Crypto R.U.B.Y 👑 (@CryptoRRR_) April 6, 2023
Two times in a row runner ups team captain , he though this time definitely win the world cup but he cant (as captain)😳😶
— ~Bharath kohli 379• (@bharath_379) April 6, 2023
Seems like he just played his last IPL match 😢
— Ethan Hunt (@Huntlondon46) April 6, 2023
Prayers up for Kane Williamson 🙏
— Haque 🦅 (@_midtownndriver) April 6, 2023
When did we see Kane Williamson Fielding on outfield.
We blame Bandya to sideline him
— Tweprilayankar (@tweprilayankar) April 6, 2023
Then New Zealand Won't Reach Final. AUS Will Beat SA In The Final.
— Oggy 😽 (@SirOggyBilla) April 6, 2023
2023 WC loading for INDIA 🤝😌
— Yash Singh (@iamyas_legend) April 6, 2023
After this we will see more often players skipping IPL during the WC year, though it has already started
— Saurav Kumar (@saurav_sara_ce) April 6, 2023
As a Indian we don't like this kind of news of players though he is from another country …..Kane is backbone of Nz bcoz of ipl the biggest tournament he will miss but I think that it's a temporary news he can get ready 6 7 months are still there
— C I D O (@264sensational) April 6, 2023
New Zealand isn't going to spare us! 🤣😂
— Yash (@Lorrd_Voldemort) April 6, 2023