New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced its men’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of India, with Tom Latham set to lead the team in the absence of Tim Southee, who stepped down as captain. In a surprising turn of events, Kane Williamson is expected to miss the opening Test in Bengaluru due to a groin strain sustained during New Zealand's recent series against Sri Lanka which ended in 2-0 .

The injury comes as a setback for New Zealand, as Williamson was expected to play a key role in the challenging tour. NZC confirmed the news in a press release on Wednesday, October 9, stating that the former skipper will need time for rehabilitation before joining the squad in India. Although he’s ruled out of the first Test, there is hope that Williamson may recover in time to participate in the latter part of the series.

Sam Wells, New Zealand selector, emphasized that it’s crucial for Williamson to rest and recover to avoid worsening the injury. “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,” Wells explained in the media release.

Despite the setback, the New Zealand camp remains optimistic about Williamson’s availability later in the series. Wells added, “We’re hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan, Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour. While it’s disappointing to not have Kane available from the start, it provides an opportunity for someone else to play a role in an important series.”

In Williamson’s absence, uncapped player Mark Chapman has been called up to the squad. The left-handed batter has been praised for his skills against spin and his experience in subcontinent conditions. “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.

New Zealand’s Test Squad for India: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson,Will Young