India vs New Zealand Test Series,  Kane Wiliamson Injured: The New Zealand team is to play a 3-match Test series on the India tour. Before this, the team has suffered a major setback. Former captain Kane Williamson is injured and will come to India late. He may be out of the first Test in Bengaluru. He is suffering from a groin strain. The 3-match Test series between India and New Zealand will begin from October 16. The first Test will be played in Bengaluru from October 16, the second Test in Pune from October 24 and the third Test in Mumbai from November 1.

New Zealand Cricket said in a press release on Wednesday (9 October) that Williamson felt uncomfortable during the second Test against Sri Lanka. He will have to undergo rehabilitation before joining the team on the India tour. New Zealand selector Sam Wells hoped that after completing rehabilitation, Williamson would be available to play later in the series.

"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," New Zealand selector Sam Wells said.

"We're hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour" he added.

"While it's obviously disappointing to not have Kane available from the start of the tour, it provides an opportunity for someone else to play a role in an important series" Sam further said.

Mark Chapman as Williamson's Replacement
Mark Chapman will join the team as cover for Williamson. Mark Chapman will join the team as cover for Williamson. He has not played a single test. Chapman, who plays regularly in New Zealand's white-ball teams, averages 41.9 in first-class cricket. It includes six centuries. This also includes a century against India A in 2020. He scored 245 runs in three matches in the Plunket Shield last summer. This also includes 123 runs against Otago Vols. Meanwhile, Michael Bracewell will tour with the team for Tests before returning home for the birth of his second child. Ish Sodhi will replace him for the rest of the series.

"We believe Mark is one of our best players of spin and has a proven track-record in the sub-continent,”

“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.” Sam Wells said.

India vs New Zealand Test Series Schedule
First Test: 16-20 October, Bengaluru

Second Test: 24-28 October, Pune

Third Test: 1-5 November, Mumbai.