Hardik Pandya answers million-dollar Kane Williamson injury question, Gujarat Titans set for huge setback
GT are set to face a huge setback as Hardik Pandya provided a big update on Kane Williamson, who incurred a knee injury during CSK tie
Gujarat Titans got their title-defense campaign in IPL 2023 off to a perfect start as they beat the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday. However, the defending champions are set to face a huge setback as skipper Hardik Pandya provided a big update on Kane Williamson, who incurred a knee injury during the match against CSK while fielding.
It was during the 13th over of the first innings of the IPL 2023 season opener when Williamson made a mighty jump near the boundary rope in an attempt to save a boundary. He had grabbed the ball in the air and quickly threw it back into the field as he went over the rope. But while the ball rolled back to hit the boundary for a four, Williamson had landed awkwardly on his right foot and hence injured his knee.
The 32-year-old immediately fell down and clinched his knee in pain as the match was halted. The physios rushed in and later carried him to the dressing room and he did not come back. B Sai Sudharsan was instead sent as a substitute fielder and later took Williamson's place in the Titans' playing XI under the Impact Player rule.
Speaking on the injury after GT's five-wicket win, Hardik said that the management is presently waiting for the scan reports to arrive.
"It is knee (injury) for sure but I don't have any update about what exactly has happened. I don't know how serious the injury is and how much time it will take (to heal). Right now there is no time frame," Pandya said in the post-match conference. "I had just messaged him. He (Williamson) has gone for the scans, once he comes back after the scans and doctors check (on him), then only we will be able to know what exactly it is."
Meanwhile, back in Auckland, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead is worried about Williamson's injury as well.
"Our first thoughts are obviously with him, we're not sure at this stage of the severity of the injury. He's being assessed in the next 24-48 hours, so we will know more after that," said Stead, who had spoken to Williamson since the incident and found him in "OK" spirits.
"All we know at this stage is it's his right knee. Unfortunately I can't give you much more than that now until we find out more information," Stead was quoted as saying by www.stuff.co.nz.
"It's not nice to see anyone, let alone your captain of your white ball team, being injured. It's a big blow for him, and it's a big blow for us."
