- Shamser Khalid
Kane Williamson Shares Special Message for IPL Fans
New Zealand cricket fans were left saddened after Kane Williamson, one of their beloved players, had to leave the Indian Premier League 2023 due to a knee injury. Williamson was playing for the defending champions, the Gujarat Titans, after being signed for INR 2 Crore in the IPL 2023 auction.
The former New Zealand captain made his debut for the defending IPL champion Titans in their tournament-opening win over the Chennai Super Kings.
In a video shared on Twitter, Williamson thanked the Gujarat Titans team and their fans for their love and support, saying he wished he could have continued playing with them. "And I also want to thank the fans for all their love support, and I look forward to a speedy recovery. Thank you," he said.
The Story Behind Williamson's Ruling Out
Williamson sustained the injury during the Titans' opening match against Chennai Super Kings. He attempted to prevent a six off the bat of Ruturaj Gaikwad, leaped into the air, and knocked the ball back but landed awkwardly, causing him to clutch his knee in pain. Two teammates had to help him up and carry him off the field.
Williamson had only recently gotten back to full fitness after a nagging elbow injury that had caused him problems for two years. His recent form in the Test arena, in which he scored two centuries and a double hundred, appeared to suggest that he was getting back to his very best after a miserable IPL campaign in 2022.
The Gujarat Titans announced on Sunday that Williamson had been ruled out of the season due to his injury. The statement read, "We regret to announce, Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the TATA IPL 2023, after sustaining an injury in the season opener against Chennai Super Kings. We wish our Titan a speedy recovery and hope for his early return."
The IPL is one of the most-watched cricket tournaments in the world, and Williamson is a fan favorite. His injury is a huge loss for the Gujarat Titans and a blow to cricket fans who were eagerly anticipating his performances in the tournament.
How The Match Ended and What's Next for the Team
Despite Williamson's departure, Gujarat won the match by 5 wickets, with Shubman Gill scoring 63 runs from 36 balls. Rashid Khan from Afghanistan was the player of the match, taking 2 wickets with the ball and also helping the Titans win with his coolness under pressure while batting.
He hit a six and four in the penultimate over, making the final overs easier for the Titans. Rahul Tewatia hit a six and four in the final over to secure the eight runs needed for victory.
The team's next match is against David Warner's Delhi Capitals on April 4 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi. The Titans will now finalize a replacement for Williamson, and an announcement will be made soon.
Cricket fans will be hoping for Williamson's speedy recovery and that he'll be back on the field soon. In the meantime, the Gujarat Titans will be looking to continue their winning ways and defend their IPL title.
