'Bat bhi nhi pakda or out ho gya' - Fans react as Kane Williamson ruled out of ITL 2023 due to knee injury

Kane Williamson (Image credit: Twitter)

In a thrilling encounter on Friday evening, defending champions Gujarat thrashed four-time champions Chennai by five wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Hardik Pandya-led side started their Indian T20 League 2023 campaign in style but suffered an early setback after Kane Williamson was ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to a knee injury.

The New Zealand captain hurt his right knee in the 13th over of Chennai's innings while trying to take a catch and save a six. He was fielding at the deep mid-wicket boundary and almost caught the ball that Ruturaj Gaikwad attempted to hit for a six. Williamson had a bad landing and once he was down, he could not get up. The medical team came to assist him and he was taken off the ground shortly after.

“It’s a pretty bad news for us. We have to find out his injury status soon,” said Gujarat coach Gary Kirsten on Williamson’s injury.

The Kiwi star player saved two runs for his team in the process, but according to the latest reports, he has been ruled out of the entire ITL season. His absence will hurt the defending champions as they will miss the services of their key player in the top order.

Gill, Rashid, and Tewatia led Gujarat to victory in the first match of ITL 2023

Talking about the match, Mohammad Shami gave Gujarat a perfect start by dismissing Chennai opener Devon Conway in the third over. However, Gaikwad's 50-ball 92 took the team to a respectable total of 178, when the rest of the batters failed to play responsibly. There was a short cameo from Moeen Ali in the top order and Dhoni in the latter stages of the innings.

Chasing 179, Gujarat got off to a flying start when Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill fired in the powerplay. After losing Saha in the fourth over, Gill took the role of the anchor and played a sensible innings. Their impact player, Sai Sudharshan, who came in for the injured Williamson, contributed some valuable runs. Rashid Khan – who won the Player Of The Match award for his brilliant all-round display – and Rahul Tewatia, led Gujarat to a five-wicket victory.

Here's how fans reacted after Williamson was ruled out of the entire ITL 2023 season: 

What blow...Miller is there right

— Web 5 (@cricketmovies) April 1, 2023

blessing in disguise now they can bring in form Smith 🤞🤞🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😎😎

— Kawal7818 (@kawal7818) April 1, 2023

Good for Kane Williamson he should focus on international cricket ,world class player needs to play more international cricket than t20 leagues

— Akshat Trivedi (@AkshatTrivedi55) April 1, 2023

Advantage GT

— test_comeback (@100_52notout) April 1, 2023

injury premier league

— Abhishek Tewari (@Abhishe80887071) April 1, 2023

Big blow to opposition

— Ram (@Flick_of_wrists) April 1, 2023

Are you sure if it is actually a blow or a boon!?

— BeyondThePosts (Nitish) (@BeyondThePosts_) April 1, 2023

Its not bug blow actually.if they get attacking batsman they will be better team..this is big blow to rest of 9 teams

— Ussain Bolt (@bolt_ussain) April 1, 2023