Cricket

New Zealand's historic triumph in India after 36 years was a testament to their resilience and the emergence of young talent. Despite the absence of their injured batting stalwart Kane Williamson, the Black Caps rose to the occasion, led by the impressive performance of Rachin Ravindra.Ravindra, whose parents hail from Bengaluru, played a pivotal role in New Zealand's victory. His composed innings of 134 in the first innings set the tone for the match. After dismissing India for a mere 46 runs, the Black Caps posted a formidable total of 402.India fought back with a strong batting performance, scoring 462 in their second innings. However, Ravindra's composure guided New Zealand to a remarkable eight-wicket win on Sunday."Our first two innings were outstanding," said New Zealand captain Tom Latham. "Rachin was a huge part in that. The way he played... a 137-run stand with a number nine batsman (Tim Southee) is awesome."Ravindra's performance was particularly impressive considering his relative inexperience at Test level. With Williamson's return uncertain due to a groin injury, Ravindra's emergence provides New Zealand with a much-needed boost."Anyone of Kane's calibre, if he's right and able to come back into the side, would be great," said Latham. "Selection headaches are always great things to have and fingers crossed he'll be alright and can get over here as soon as possible."As the series moves to Pune and then Mumbai for the final match, New Zealand will be hoping to maintain their momentum. Ravindra's performance has shown that they have the depth and talent to overcome the absence of their star batsman.

New Zealand's Test series opener against India in Bengaluru has been dealt a significant blow with the absence of their star batsman Kane Williamson. The 34-year-old is still recovering from a groin strain sustained during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.Williamson's absence is a major setback for the Kiwis, who are looking to make a strong start to their India tour. The experienced campaigner has been in excellent form this year, amassing 618 runs in 12 innings, including three centuries and two half-centuries. His leadership and experience will be sorely missed in the opening game.Williamson's record in India is not particularly impressive, with an average of 33.53 in 15 innings. However, his absence as a leader will be keenly felt by the Black Caps. Tom Latham has taken over as captain, but he will be without the guidance of Williamson, who has a wealth of experience playing in India.Williamson made his Test debut against India in Ahmedabad in 2010, scoring a century against a formidable attack featuring Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. His absence presents an opportunity for Mark Chapman to potentially make his Test debut. Chapman has played 78 white-ball matches for New Zealand and has enjoyed success while touring India with the New Zealand A side.The mouth-watering series gets underway in Bengaluru, with the second Test in Pune and the final Test in Mumbai. India will be keen to win their home series against New Zealand to strengthen their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) before their tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.New Zealand, on the other hand, are yet to win a Test series in India and will be determined to put up a strong showing against Rohit Sharma and Co.

Kane Williamson's absence from the opening Test against India in Bengaluru has dealt a significant blow to New Zealand's hopes. The skipper's groin strain, sustained during the Sri Lanka series, has delayed his departure from New Zealand.In Williamson's stead, Tom Latham will lead the Black Caps, who have added Mark Chapman to their squad for the three-Test tour. Chapman, a left-handed batter, has played 78 white-ball matches for New Zealand but is yet to make his Test debut.The rest of the squad remains unchanged from the disappointing Sri Lanka tour, with Michael Bracewell available only for the first Test before departing for the birth of his second child. Ish Sodhi will join the squad as Bracewell's replacement for the second and third Tests.Williamson's injury is a major setback for New Zealand, given his experience in India and the team's struggles for runs in Sri Lanka. The Black Caps selector, Sam Wells, expressed hope that Williamson could play a part later in the series but confirmed his absence from the first Test."The advice we've received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury," Wells said. "We're hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan, Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour."While Williamson's absence is a disappointment, it presents an opportunity for someone else to step up in an important series. Chapman, who has scored a century against India A in 2020, could make his Test debut.Former Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath will also travel to India with the Black Caps as part of the coaching staff, continuing his role as a spin-bowling coach.

Kane Williamson, the New Zealand skipper renowned for his composure at the crease, endured a rare and frustrating third day in the second Test against Sri Lanka. Dismissed twice within just four hours, his uncharacteristic departures left New Zealand reeling at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.Williamson's first dismissal came in New Zealand's first innings, when he misjudged a tossed-up delivery from spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and edged it to slip for just 7 off 53 balls. Following New Zealand's collapse to 88 all out, they were forced to follow on.In the second innings, Williamson partnered with Devon Conway in a resilient 97-run stand for the second wicket. However, his innings came to an abrupt end when he mistimed a shot off off-spinner Nishan Peiris and was caught by substitute fielder Ramesh Mendis for 46.Sri Lanka capitalized on these breakthroughs and was five wickets away from a comprehensive series victory at tea on day 3. Spinners Jayasuriya and Peiris dominated the day, pushing New Zealand into a corner as they continued to search for a way out of a dire situation.Williamson's uncharacteristic dismissals highlighted the pressure that Sri Lanka's spinners have exerted on the New Zealand batting lineup. The Black Caps will need to find a way to counter the spin threat if they are to avoid a series defeat.

The term "Fab Four" was coined by Martin Crowe to describe the exceptional batting prowess of Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson. These four players have dominated Test cricket for the past decade, captivating audiences with their skill and consistency.In recent years, Williamson and Root have been in particularly impressive form, while Smith and Kohli have struggled to maintain their previous dominance. Root's recent twin centuries against Sri Lanka highlight his continued appetite for runs, while Williamson's average of 67.54 since 2020 is a testament to his batting prowess.Williamson has expressed his admiration for Root's performances, calling him "phenomenal" and praising his ability to convert fifties into centuries. He also acknowledged the contributions of Kohli and Smith, stating that they have "moved the game forward in a big way."Despite the comparisons and discussions about who is the best among the Fab Four, Williamson downplayed the idea that their performances serve as motivation for him. He emphasized that his primary motivation is to perform for his country and team.New Zealand, the reigning World Test Championship champions, will face a challenging schedule of six Tests in the sub-continent over the next two months. Williamson expressed excitement about the upcoming matches, viewing them as a tournament-like experience within the World Test Championship.

New Zealand's upcoming six-Test tour of Asia marks a significant departure from their usual schedule. This unprecedented itinerary, spanning two months, will test their mettle in unfamiliar conditions.Historically, New Zealand has played a maximum of three subcontinent Tests in a single year. However, this eight-week trip, commencing with a one-off match against Afghanistan, followed by two against Sri Lanka, and culminating in three against India, presents a unique challenge.Captain Kane Williamson acknowledges the magnitude of this undertaking. "We don't usually get such a volume of Test cricket, especially in this part of the world," he said.New Zealand's record in Asia is modest, with 16 wins from 90 Tests. Their struggles have been particularly evident in India, where they have managed only two victories in 36 matches.To address this, New Zealand has intensified its efforts to adapt to Asian conditions. Domestic teams have toured the region extensively, and the next generation of players has dedicated significant time to developing their skills in spin-friendly environments.Williamson emphasized the importance of adjusting their game to succeed in Asia. "We're not here consistently in this format, so we need to familiarize ourselves again," he said.Williamson himself, despite his vast experience, has yet to fully master batting in India and Sri Lanka. In 22 innings, he averages 31.36 with only five fifty-plus scores.However, he remains undeterred and eager to embrace the challenge. "It's important that we grow as a unit," he said. "We know it's a tough challenge, but it's always a great experience."New Zealand has bolstered its support staff with the addition of Sri Lankan spin legend Rangana Herath and former India batting coach Vikram Rathour. This move reflects their determination to improve their performance in the 2023-25 cycle of the World Test Championship.Williamson sees the upcoming Tests as a crucial part of their Test Championship campaign. "The value of games is high," he said. "Having six Test matches together is a big part of our calendar."

Kane Williamson and Chris Woakes, two renowned international cricketers, have signed with Durban's Super Giants as direct signings for the upcoming SA20 2025 season. This marks the first SA20 appearance for both players.Williamson, the former New Zealand captain, recently declined a central contract and relinquished his captaincy to prioritize playing in the SA20. He emphasized his commitment to New Zealand outside of his South African stint. "SA20 looks really exciting," Williamson said. "My priority still is, absolutely, playing for New Zealand."Woakes, a key white-ball player for England, has been instrumental in their ODI and T20I World Cup successes. Despite not being selected for the 2024 T20 World Cup, he remains a valuable asset to any team.The SA20 tournament will run from January 9 to February 8, with July 21 as the deadline for retentions and August 31 for direct signings. Last season, Durban's Super Giants finished as runners-up, losing to Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final.Other notable England players joining the SA20 include Joe Root, who signed with Paarl Royals, and Ben Stokes, who received a substantial contract offer from MI Cape Town.The addition of Williamson and Woakes to the Super Giants roster is a significant boost to their title aspirations. Their experience and skill will be invaluable in the competitive SA20 environment.

Tom Latham, a potential successor to Kane Williamson as New Zealand's ODI captain, acknowledges the need for flexibility in adapting to players opting out of central contracts for franchise deals.With Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne unavailable for the latest contracts, Latham emphasizes the changing landscape of cricket. He suggests that the team must be fluid in its approach, recognizing that players may prioritize franchise opportunities at different stages of their careers.Latham highlights the importance of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and the need to adapt to the absence of key players. He believes that the contract system has worked well but acknowledges the need to review it in light of the evolving game.Latham's own captaincy ambitions are not at the forefront, as he primarily focuses on Test and ODI cricket. However, he expresses his willingness to lead if given the opportunity.Coach Gary Stead confirms that Latham is among the candidates for the ODI captaincy but emphasizes the need for a long-term commitment leading up to the next World Cup.New Zealand will face Sri Lanka and Pakistan in six ODIs during their home summer before participating in a tri-series in Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Kane Williamson, the former New Zealand captain, has revealed that his decision to decline a central contract was driven by his desire to participate in the inaugural season of the South African T20 league (SA20). The SA20 is scheduled to take place from January 9 to February 8, 2025, coinciding with the Super Smash tournament in New Zealand.Under New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) rules, players must participate in the Super Smash unless they are on international duty to be eligible for a central contract. Williamson's decision to prioritize the SA20 meant he had to forgo the central contract."I want to play as long as I can. There are a number of great competitions during that time, but SA20 looks really exciting. Unfortunately, it meant turning down a central contract," Williamson explained.Despite declining the central contract, Williamson emphasized his unwavering commitment to representing New Zealand in all three formats outside of the SA20. He will miss the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka in January but will be available for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in September, as well as the World Test Championship (WTC) matches against India and Sri Lanka away and the three-match series against England at home."My priority still is, absolutely, playing for New Zealand. I think I might miss maybe a handful of games over a three-week period," Williamson said.Williamson also expressed his excitement about the future of New Zealand's leadership in white-ball cricket. "I've really, really enjoyed my time captaining and it's been a privilege and an honor to do that for a number of years. I'm excited with what's next for the team in terms of the leadership as well and looking forward to being part of that," he added.The 33-year-old batsman did not set a specific timeframe for his international career, stating that he was taking it one year at a time. "In terms of a timeframe, it's difficult to say. I want to keep being fit, doing as well as I can, keep trying to improve. All major events and key series are things that whet the appetite and are an exciting prospect," Williamson said.