In IPL 2023, defending champions Gujarat Titans suffered a major blow as their key batsman Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the entire season due to injury. He has carried off the field after suffering an unfortunate incident during the first match of IPL 2023 between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.
According to media reports, Australia’s right-handed batsman Steve Smith is going to replace him. Kane Williamson’s exclusion from IPL 2023 might have put Gujarat Titans at a slight disadvantage of their experience.
Kane Williamson had earlier played eight seasons with Sunrisers Hyderabad. This year, Gujarat Titans included him in their team in the auction. He was playing his first match for Gujarat when he suffered a serious knee injury while trying to push a lofted shot of CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad inside the boundary. Despite saving two runs, the former Kiwi skipper fell awkwardly, his right leg hitting the ground with full force.
Williamson was given immediate medical attention, but despite this, he could not return to the field, with the Titans opting to bring in B Sai Sudarshan as an impact player. Recently, the Impact Player rule has been used in the IPL. This rule allows a player to be swapped in the playing XI.
Despite Williamson getting injured in the match, the Titans managed to start their IPL 2023 season positively with a thrilling five-wicket win over the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings. Gujarat will play their next match against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday, April 4 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.