Following the loss in the T20 World Cup 2021 final against Australia on Sunday, New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson will now miss the upcoming three-match T20I series against India starting on Wednesday (November 17) at Jaipur.
Williamson opted out of the T20 series as he wanted to fully focus on the two-match Test series, which will commence in Kanpur from November 25.
“Kane Williamson will miss this week’s three-game T20 series against India as he prioritises preparing for the Test series starting on November 25 in Kanpur #INDVSNZ,” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) tweeted on their official account.
"With the opening game of the T20 series on Wednesday evening, followed by games on Friday and Sunday night - the decision was made for Williamson to join the Test specialist group already training in Jaipur as they focus on red-ball preparation," NZC also revealed in its release.
NZC, also stated that the senior speedster Tim Southee will lead the Black Caps in the white ball series in the absence of their skipper Williamson.
"Tim Southee will captain the T20 side for the opening game on Wednesday, while Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner are also available for both series," NZC added.
However, fast bowler Lockie Ferguson who wasn’t part of the T20 world is getting recovered from a right calf strain continues to progress well and he is expected to be available for the T20 series.
After the three-match T20I series Blackcaps are also scheduled to play two-match Test series against India as well.
India vs New Zealand Schedule
November 17: First T20I, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
November 19: Second T20I, JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
November 21: Third T20I, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
November 25-29: First Test, Green Park, Kanpur
December 3-7: Second Test, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
