Williamson Out of Mumbai Test, Now Latham to Lead

New Zealand are set to go into the second Test against India in Mumbai without their captain Kane Williamson. Joe had been out for a long time with a left elbow injury. Which flared up during the Kanpur Test. Tom Latham, who played a key role in New Zealand’s draw in Kanpur, will lead the side in Williamson’s absence.

Head coach Gary Stead confirmed the injury and said the increased batting load in the Test format brought back problems for the captain.

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Left Elbow has been a Frequent Problem for Williamson

The left elbow has been a recurring problem for Williamson. He missed the Bangladesh ODI matches, the first part of IPL 2021 in India as well as the Edgbaston Test against England in the build-up to the World Test Championship final. Even when he has played. Even then he has done so by tying a bandage on his left elbow.

“It’s been a really tough time for Kane Williamson dealing with this kind of persistent injury,” Stead said. “While we have been able to manage the injury through the year and the T20 World Cup, the changes in Test cricket and the increasing batting load have put his elbows out again.

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“Ultimately the injury is still not healing and when he went through the Kanpur Test, it was clear that playing the second Test was not an option,” he added.

Rahane, Jadeja and Ishant out Injured

India too has its share of injuries. Under-fire Ajinkya Rahane will be ruled out of the match due to a minor strain on his left hamstring. Which he had to face in the first test. Virat Kohli will move to No. 4 to be vacated by Rahane in Mumbai.

The hosts will also miss Ishant Sharma. He had amputated his left little finger on the last day of the first Test. and Ravindra Jadeja – who sustained a right arm injury in the fixture. Both of them can be replaced by Mohammad Siraj and Jayant Yadav.