NZ skipper Williamson out from the Mumbai Test; To lead Latham
New Zealand go into the second Test against India in Mumbai without their captain Kane Williamson, who was excluded with a longstanding left elbow injury that flared up during the Kanpur Test. Tom Latham, who played a major role in New Zealand in a Kanpur draw, will lead the team in Williamson's absence.
Head coach Gary Stead confirmed the injury and assumed that the increased impact stress in the test format brought back the problems for the skipper.
"It was a really tough time for Kane to deal with such a persistent injury," said Stead. "Although we got the injury under control over the course of the year and the T20 World Cup, switching to test cricket and the increased impact stress made his elbow worse again.
"Ultimately, the injury is still wrong and while he survived the Kanpur Test it was clear that playing in the second Test was not an option," he added.
The left elbow is a recurring problem for Williamson. He missed the Bangladesh ODIs, the first part of the IPL 2021 in India and the Edgbaston Test against England in the run-up to the World Test Championship Final. Even when he was playing, he would do so with his left elbow heavily buckled.
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India also has its share of injuries. Under fire, Ajinkya Rahane will miss the game due to a minor strain on the left thigh muscles suffered in the first Test. Virat Kohli will take fourth place, vacated by Rahane in Mumbai.
The hosts will also miss the services of Ishant Sharma - who dislocated his left pinky finger on the last day of the first test - and Ravindra Jadeja - who sustained an injury to his right forearm in the game. Mohammed Siraj and Jayant Yadav are likely to replace the duo.