FILE PHOTO: New Zealand's Kane Williamson walks after losing his wicket in the third test versus England at Yorkshire Cricket Ground, Leeds, Britain, June 23, 2022. Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/
(Reuters) - New Zealand's white-ball skipper Kane Williamson has been ruled out of this season's Indian Premier League (IPL) after sustaining an injury in Gujarat Titans' opening match against Chennai Super Kings, the team announced on Sunday.
Williamson injured his right knee in Friday's match while fielding near the boundary when he leapt to stop a six. He saved two runs as he palmed the ball into the field but landed awkwardly, falling to the ground clutching his knee.
The 32-year-old had to be helped off the field as Gujarat brought on Sai Sudharsan as an "Impact Player", a new rule the IPL brought in this season which allowed the 21-year-old Indian to bat at No. 3 instead of Williamson during the run chase.
Gujarat did not mention who would replace Williamson in their squad. The team, who are the reigning champions, won that match by five wickets.
On Saturday, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said it was "too early to know" whether Williamson had done significant damage to his knee that would rule him out of the 50-overs World Cup to be held in India from October this year.
New Zealand Cricket said Williamson would return home to have the injury further assessed.
"Preparations are now under way for him to return to NZ next week and be seen by relevant medical specialists to establish a treatment plan," the statement said.
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Edmund Klamann)
