Blackcaps white-ball captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the rest of the Indian Premier League season and will return to New Zealand for further treatment to a knee injury.
In a statement, Gujarat Titans - Williamson's IPL side - confirmed the news, ruling him out of the rest of their 2023 season.
"It is sad to lose Kane to injury so early in the tournament," said Titans' director of cricket Vikram Solanki.
"We wish him a speedy recovery, with the hope of seeing him in action very soon."
Williamson will next week travel from India to New Zealand, where further consultation with specialists will be taken to determine a travel plan.
For his teammates, who played out a Twenty20 thriller against Sri Lanka on Sunday, batter Daryl Mitchell says while the extent of the injury is still to be determined, Williamson will be supported through his recovery.
"Obviously Kane is first of all a good friend, and a teammate," said Mitchell.
"I'm unsure of the extent of what the injury is. But we're all feeling for him.
"I'm sure he'll be back sooner rather than later, and just as a mate, we'll all get around him over the next little bit.
"But I don't know the extent of the injury."
The master batter landed awkwardly on his right knee, when fielding on the boundary for Gujarat Titans against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL season-opener.
Williamson was carried from the field by support staff and appeared unable to put any weight on his right knee.
