Blackcaps dealt huge injury blow with loss of Williamson for start of India Test series

The Blackcaps will be without talisman Kane Williamson for the first Test against India – at the very least.

The veteran batter is suffering from "groin discomfort" dating to the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

He'll undergo a period of rehabilitation before joining the squad in India with the hope he'll play "some part" in the three-Test tour, which begins in Bengaluru on October 16.

"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," said Blackcaps selector Sam Wells.

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

"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."

Mark Chapman will have that opportunity to step up in Williamson's absence. The white-ball regular will have a chance to earn his first Test cap, named as injury cover in the 17-strong squad.

After a strong Plunket Shield campaign last summer in which he averaged 40 with the bat, Wells believes the Auckland Ace has the ideal temperament to make an impact in the spin-friendly conditions.

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

"He 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."

Allrounder Michael Bracewell will travel with the squad for the first Test in Bengaluru, before returning home for the birth of his second child and will be replaced by Ish Sodhi for the remainder of the series.

The remainder of the squad is unchanged from that which lost 2-0 to Sri Lanka last month, with Tom Latham leading the side for the first time as full-time Test captain following Tim Southee's decision to withdraw from the role.

Blackcaps squad - Test tour of India
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 & 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

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