Kane Williamson to undergo surgery in three weeks following leg injury, set to miss World Cup in India

Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s ODI captain, is likely to miss the upcoming 50-over World Cup in India later this year. Following the horrific-looking leg injury he suffered during the opening match of IPL 2023 playing for Gujarat Titans, where he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Kane will now undergo surgery for the same in about three-week time, which will rule him out of competitive cricket for around eight months.

Kane Williamson returned to New Zealand and following his recent check-up, it was decided that he would undergo surgery once the swelling around his knee reduced.

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As quoted by ESPNcricinfo, Kane was disappointed to suffer such an injury, but he would now focus to get his surgery done and start with rehab.He has, however, accepted the fact that given the nature of the injury, it will take its own time to heal and is now determined to do anything possible to get back on the field sooner than expected.

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

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead also lamented the timing of the injury and said not having him around for the World Cup is no less than a blow to the team.

"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," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Tom Latham, who will lead the Kiwi side against Pakistan in the away white-ball tour later this month, is expected to run for the captain’s post for the World Cup shouldKane remain out of contention.