ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Kane Williamson likely to miss tournament after sustaining knee injury in IPL 2023

New Zealand's 2023 ICC ODI World Cup campaign has suffered a big blow as skipper Kane Williamson is unlikely to feature in the upcoming mega tournament. The development was announced soon after the veteran left IPL to return to New Zealand for an injury assessment. He had earlier sustained a blow on his knee while fielding during the first match of the Indian Premier League 2023, held between Chennai Super Kings and his latest patron, Gujarat Titans.

It was during the 13th over of the first innings that Williamson, who was near the ropes, attempted to save a six off Ruturaj Gaikwad which he valiantly managed to execute, thus saving two runs for the team after converting it into a four. But, in the process, he landed in an awkward position to lock his knee against the ground which had his entire body weight over it. 

It has recently been revealed that Williamson has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee and is expected to undergo an operation in about three weeks, after the swelling reduces. This makes him extremely unlikely to feature in the upcoming World Cup, thus resulting in a big dent in New Zealand's preparations for the mega tournament. Williamson is undoubtedly one of New Zealand's biggest assets as he averages 47.83 in his ODI career comprising 161 matches. 

Reacting to the injury, Williamson said that his focus would be on getting done with the surgery and then starting with the rehabilitation process to get back to the field at the earliest.

"Naturally it's disappointing to get such an injury, but my focus is now on having the injury and starting the rehab. 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," said Williamson.

We haven't given up hope but at this stage it does look unlikely, says New Zealand coach

New Zealand coach Gary Stead has reacted to the matter and said that Kane Williamson's absence would result in a lot of work for the management to rethink the responsibilities and rearrange the team ahead of the tournament. He further said that although they hadn't given up on the hopes yet but it was unlikely for Williamson to recover ahead of the World Cup.

"You take Kane the player for a 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. We haven't given up hope that he might be right but at this stage it does look unlikely. Our first thoughts are with Kane at the moment, it's a tough time for him, it's not an injury you expect...it hits you pretty hard," Stead was reported as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

Tom Latham is the first-choice captain in Williamson's absence and is likely to lead New Zealand in the upcoming World Cup, reported to commence on October 5.