While Gujarat Titans (GT) started IPL 2023 with a good victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, they were dealt a huge blow as their ace batter Kane Williamson suffered a painful knee injury.
The 32-year-old got injured following a nasty fall while fielding on the boundary during the CSK innings. He had limped off the field in the 13th over on Friday. He was making his debut for GT and intercepted a ball headed for a possible six off CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad’s bat.
He managed to palm the ball back into play before it bounced onto the boundary ropes. But he fell awkwardly on the ground and clutched his right knee in pain.
After receiving some treatment on the boundary lines, while he grimaced in pain, Kane Williamson was helped off the field and was subbed out. He didn’t come out to bat as well, as GT used the impact player rule to bring in Sai Sudharsan.
Titans captain Hardik Pandya had said at the post-match press conference that he did not know how serious was the injury.
“It is knee (injury) for sure but I don’t have any update about what exactly has happened. I don’t know how serious the injury is and how much time it will take (to heal). Right now there is no time frame. I had just messaged him. He (Williamson) has gone for the scans, once he comes back after the scans and doctors check (on him), then only we will be able to know what exactly it is,” Hardik said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said Williamson’s injury was a big blow to the national team.
“Our first thoughts are obviously with him, we’re not sure at this stage of the severity of the injury. He’s being assessed in the next 24-48 hours, so we will know more after that. All we know at this stage is it’s his right knee. Unfortunately I can’t give you much more than that now until we find out more information,” said Stead, who had spoken to Williamson since the incident and found him in “OK” spirits.
(PTI/ Stuff.co.nz inputs)
