Champions Trophy: Kane Williamson to Sit Out in India's 252 Chase After Quad Strain
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Synopsis
Kane Williamson of New Zealand will not be fielding in the second innings of the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy final against India due to a quad strain. He was injured while batting in the first innings. Mark Chapman has taken his place. New Zealand set a target of 252 runs.
Key Takeaways
- Kane Williamson is out due to a quad strain.
- Mark Chapman replaces him in the field.
- New Zealand scored 251/7 in the final.
- India aims for their third Champions Trophy title.
- Match takes place at Dubai International Stadium.
Dubai, March 9 (NationPress) New Zealand’s star batsman Kane Williamson will not take part in the field during India’s pursuit of 252 runs in the ongoing ICC 2025 Champions Trophy final after he sustained a quad strain while batting in the first innings at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Williamson, who scored 102 runs in the semi-final against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, was out for just 11 runs off 14 deliveries, managing only a single boundary in the championship match against India. The right-handed batsman failed to control a chip off Kuldeep Yadav and delivered a simple return catch to the left-arm wrist-spinner in the 13th over.
“Kane Williamson will not be fielding in the second innings of the final due to a quad strain sustained while batting. Mark Chapman has replaced him in the field,” stated an update from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) shortly after the second innings commenced at the Dubai International Stadium.
In the title match, significant contributions came from Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls) and Michael Bracewell (53 not out off 40 balls), leading New Zealand to a total of 251/7. India’s spinners collectively took five wickets, with wrist-spin duo Kuldeep and Varun Chakaravarthy each claiming two wickets.
New Zealand, who previously claimed the Champions Trophy in 2000, won the toss and chose to bat first. The Black Caps, captained by left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner, are now tasked with defending 251/7 against India without their fast-bowling leader Matt Henry, who is absent due to a right shoulder injury suffered while catching Heinrich Klaasen in Lahore.
Successfully chasing down 252 runs in Dubai will grant Rohit Sharma-led India their third Champions Trophy title, having previously won the eight-team competition in 2002 and 2013.
