Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson’s departure to India will be delayed and he is going to miss the first Test in Bengaluru due to a groin strain he sustained recently. However, he experienced discomfort during the second Test against Sri Lanka and will need to undergo rehabilitation before joining the team in India as well, New Zealand Cricket informed in a media release on Wednesday (October 9).

Sam Wells, the New Zealand selector, expressed hope that Kane Williamson will be available to play later in the series after finishing his rehabilitation.

“We believe Mark is one of our best players of spin and has a proven track-record in the sub-continent,” said Wells. “Mark has displayed an ability to play spin proactively in the international arena, and combined with his excellent first-class record, we see him as someone who can succeed in the type of conditions we expect to encounter in India.”

However, Michael Bracewell will travel with the team for the first Test before returning home for the birth of his second child as well. He will also be replaced by Ish Sodhi for the reminder of the series.

New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young