Kane Williamson will not take part in the IPL 2023 further, due to a knee injury he sustained against CSK, here are the five players who can be his replacement
New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson has dealt Gujarat Titans a fatal setback by being ruled out from the IPL 2023.
He started for them against CSK when they played their first game of the year. Williamson, however, chose not to bat because of a knee injury he sustained while playing the field.
The team has stated that he won’t be playing in the IPL this season, and will soon begin recruiting replacements.
List of five players who can be the replacement of Kane Williamson in Gujarat Titans for IPL 2023
The Kiwi cricketer was supposed to be the answer at number three, but now the team needs to look for an international talent who can bat in the top order.
We regret to announce, Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the TATA IPL 2023, after sustaining an injury in the season opener against Chennai Super Kings.
We wish our Titan a speedy recovery and hope for his early return. pic.twitter.com/SVLu73SNpl
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) April 2, 2023
Kane Williamson can be replaced in the GT team for the IPL in 2023 by the following 5 players:
1- Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell has consistently performed well for New Zealand in the shortest format. He has played both middle and upper order positions in the past.
Mitchell was the star for beginning the inning in the T20 World Cup 2021, which allowed New Zealand to progress to the final.
Additionally, he scored a match-winning knock of 66 runs off 44 deliveries while chasing 197 runs in the first T20I against Sri Lanka on Sunday (April 2). In T20Is, he has now played at position number four.
Mitchell’s batting will be a huge asset to the Titans if he is selected to replace Williamson in that role.
2- Travis Head
Travis Head recently travelled to India to play against the national team in a Test and ODI series. In the ODI game, the left-hander had a strike-rate of 125.35.
Head is undoubtedly a feasible option for the Titans given his capacity to bat at number three and attack the opposition.
In 2017, the bowler played in his final IPL match for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, and it wasn’t a great time. But now that he is more knowledgeable, he can immediately assist the reigning winners.
3- Rassie van der Dussen
Rassie van der Dussen is a person who can go a game without tiring. Technically sound, he is able to play an extended inning if required.
Since David Miller will be back in the starting XI for their upcoming game, GT can acquire Van der Dussen as a backup player and utilise him effectively.
With a strike rate of 128.92 and 166 games played in this format, the Proteas’ cricketer is a suitable Williamson substitute.
4- Reeza Hendricks
Stocks of Reeza Hendricks have increased in worth recently. He was one of South Africa’s best batsmen in the recently concluded T20I series against the West Indies.
He was the series’ top run scorer with 172 runs tallied in three games at an incredible strike rate of 204.76.
Furthermore, South Africa had the edge thanks to his outstanding performance of 68 runs off 28 deliveries in the 259-run chase. He can open for GT or bat at three if Williamson’s replacement is selected.
5- Brandon King
Brandon King’s absence is a big disappointment given the knocks of games he has played for West Indies in the IPL.
King has a wealth of experience playing in T20 leagues, having participated in 103 contests and getting more than 130 runs.
He can adapt to the situation and seems to be a Williamson replacement who can hold his own. If Gujarat Titans sign him to an IPL deal this season, it will be interesting to see.