Kane Williamson Out for Pune Test vs India

New Zealand's star batter Kane Williamson has been officially ruled out of the second Test against India in Pune due to an ongoing recovery from a groin strain sustained during a recent series against Sri Lanka. Despite making progress, Williamson remains in New Zealand for rehabilitation and is not yet fit for the demands of Test cricket. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead remains hopeful that Williamson could be available for the third Test in Mumbai, scheduled for early November, as the team takes a cautious approach to his recovery. New Zealand leads the three-match series 1-0 after securing a historic victory in the first Test in Bengaluru, marking their first win on Indian soil in 36 years. The team's success was notably achieved without Williamson, with significant contributions from players like Rachin Ravindra and Tom Latham.