IPL 2023: Big blow to Gujarat Titans, Kane Williamson ruled out of season due to knee injury

The Gujarat Titans franchisee for IPL 2023 has suffered a big blow after Kane Williamson was ruled out of this year's edition of IPL. Williamson suffered a knee injury in the inaugural match of the IPL 2023 against the Chennai Super Kings on Friday.

On Friday, Williamson got himself in a tangle while trying to save a boundary during the Titans' opening match in IPL 2023 against the Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Williamson had to leave the field, after which Sai Sudharsan was roped in as an impact player.

"It is sad to lose Kane to injury so early in the tournament. We wish him a speedy recovery, with the hope of seeing him in action very soon," said Gujarat Titans' Director of Cricket of Gujarat Titans Vikram Solanki said.

Williamson will now head home to New Zealand for further assessment. The Gujarat Titans will finalise a replacement for the right-handed batter and an announcement will be made in due course, the franchise said in a statement on Sunday.

Williamson's knee injury has the New Zealand team management worried about his availability for the entire season. Williamson, New Zealand's white-ball captain, had to leave the field, after which Sai Sudharsan was roped in as an Impact Player.

The New Zealand team doctors will now assess the extent of his injury and set him up on a recovery and rehabilitation programme, expecting him to be fit in time for the World Cup to be held in India in October-November this year.