GT’s Kane Williamson ruled out of IPL after knee injury in curtain-raiser vs CSK, Twitter fans say ‘Steve Smith is ideal replacement’

Kane Williamson, who was playing his first match for the defending champions Gujarat Titans, suffered a serious knee injury. This happened during the team’s campaign opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday (March 31) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Kiwi batter was fielding on the boundary when he leaped in the air to catch the ball. Although he managed to stop it from going over the ropes at first, it later bounced back and touched the boundary ropes.

Get well soon #KaneWilliamson ? pic.twitter.com/LeEAPw3u6S

— Pratik ? (@true_rohit_fan) April 1, 2023

When the ball was coming toward him off Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s bat, he leaped in the air but fell badly and injured his knee. Then with assistance, the 32-year-old was taken out of the field to the dressing room. In his place, Sai Sudharsan came in as the Impact Player for the second innings.

Although the seriousness of the injury is not known yet, as per Sports Tak’s report, Williamson has been ruled out of this season’s cash-rich league. However, Gujarat Titans haven’t yet announced anything regarding Williamson.

Related: WATCH: MS Dhoni grooves to Arijit Singh’s song, later Arijit touches Dhoni’s feet and takes internet by storm

Check Twitter fans’ reactions to Kane Williamson’s injury

Bring Steve smith Titans. He was in fabulous form in BBL. Like for like and a good player of spin will be needed at chepauk, ekana, Delhi, eden

— kuldeep singh (@ksnaruka99) April 1, 2023

Advantage Gujarat

— Bunny of Cummins (@Cricket_fan0123) April 1, 2023

Steve Smith Ideal Replacement for Gujrat!!?

— V I R A T (@Pavan007pk) April 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/NucleusDevi/status/1642054034130608128

Gujarat Titans ➡ Steven Smith is the ideal replacement of Kane Williamson.

Steven Smith reaction who came India as a commentator in IPL 2023 ? pic.twitter.com/uptSFFXFdk

— Mohit (@moheet) April 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/Dikshkyaoon/status/1642138430468653057

https://twitter.com/whocaresnavi/status/1642046102676602880

They said GT dont have any injury problems and here it is…?

— Vanshil Doshi (@DoshiVanshil) April 1, 2023

Dang! So unlucky, wishing for his speedy recovery ❤️‍? pic.twitter.com/Vkaon2nhC4

— Sujal (@Sujal__21) April 1, 2023

@stevesmith49 hopefully u r practicing ? an ideal replacement

— Raj ?️? (@AndeDursu) April 1, 2023

Played one match..so he ll get full payment for the season..that is the rule..am i right..but it is sad that we will miss his batting and fielding skills in this edition #IPL2023

— புகழ் (@mekalapugazh) April 1, 2023

cannot imagine the pain of my friends?, I hope they find strength. get well soon Kane mama

— ????? (@Vidyadhar_R) April 1, 2023

GG 1st match – Beth Moony injured – ruled out from WPL
GT 1st match – Kane Williamson injured – ruled out from IPL
?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️

— NHR (@NIHAR17284962) April 1, 2023

Smith is perfect replacement for kane

— Rajath gowda mk (@rajath_mk) April 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/AltofLeg/status/1642045807766667265

Was so excited for him
Jane deta yaar kyun try karna tha ?
Get Smith as replacement fatafat or get Jason Roy @gujarat_titans

— SK BOY (@sk78boy) April 1, 2023

? kane Williamson ignored the Pakistan tour, and now he's ruled out of IPL 2023? Lalach burri bala he? pic.twitter.com/gnK9Dc1fpR

— Moon (@abkhanktk6) April 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/abrafique09/status/1642047124647862272

https://twitter.com/kawal7818/status/1642045730234974210

Meanwhile, New Zealand coach Gary Stead said Kane Williamson’s injury is “a big blow” for the national side. “You don’t wish it on anyone, let alone your captain of the white-ball team Kane Williamson. So, yeah, it’s a big blow for him and it’s a big blow for us,” Stead said.

Williamson played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) since his IPL debut and Gujarat is his first new IPL team. Due to a poor show in last year’s IPL, Williamson was released by the SRH, and Aiden Markram was made the captain.

Last season, Williamson scored 216 runs in 13 innings. Gujarat Titans signed him for his base price of INR 2 crore at the mini-auction last year. He joined the Orange Army in 2015 and captained them in 2018 and 2022. He also partially led the side in 2019 and 2021.

Talking about yesterday’s match, CSK posted 178/7 after being asked to bat first courtesy of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 92. During Gujarat’s run-chase, Shubman Gill slammed his half-century and later Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia’s cameos won the match for the defending champions.

In case you missed:

“A T20 legend in my book”- Twitter fans heap praises on Gujarat Titans’ Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill for snatching victory from CSK in season opener

“Arijit the GOAT!”- Twitter goes berserk after Arijit Singh, Tamannah Bhatia, and Rashmika Mandanna light up IPL 2023 opening ceremony