Kane Williamson's departure delayed ahead of IND vs NZ 2024 Test series due to groin strain, Mark Chapman called up as cover

Due to a groin strain, New Zealand's ace batter Kane Williamson's arrival to India has been delayed ahead of the three-Test series. The right-handed batter will undergo rehabilitation before joining the squad in India, forcing the selectors to call up Mark Chapman as cover.

Williamson sustained the groin strain during the second Test of the recent series against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium. The veteran's experience will be critical in what will be an uphill challenge for the Black Caps in India.

Speaking to reporters, selector Sam Wells said it's better for Williamson to undergo rehabilitation instead of playing and aggravating the injury. The Kiwis are hopeful of his availability in the latter part of the series. Wells said, as quoted by nzc.nz:

"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. 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."

Williamson has middling numbers in Tests in India, averaging 33.53 in eight matches, scoring 503 runs. However, the 34-year-old has recorded only one hundred in 15 innings on Indian soil.

Sam Wells addresses Kane Williamson's replacement for the three-Test series against India

Sam Wells added that Chapman can hold his own against the Indian spinners and has the tools to succeed in these conditions.

"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," Wells said in the same interview.

The three-Test series between India and New Zealand begins on October 16 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Here's the New Zealand squad for the Test series against 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 and 3rd Tests only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Michael Bracewell will return home after the first Test to welcome his second child.