ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Why is Kane Williamson not fielding in the final against India? - Revealed

Kane Williamson was dismissed for 11 in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against India.

India have taken control of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand in Dubai.

After being asked to bowl first, the Men in Blue were brilliant in the field and restricted New Zealand for 251 in the first innings.

The Indian spinners played a crucial role with Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy scalping with two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami chipped in with one wicket each.

Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell played important knocks for the Kiwis, scoring half-centuries each. The major letdown for the Blackcaps was the early dismissal of Kane Williamson, their best player against spin.

Adding to the concern, the veteran batter has not come out to field in the second innings.

Why is Kane Williamson not fielding in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against India?

The New Zealand Cricket Board confirmed that Kane Williamson will not field in the second innings due to a quad injury he sustained in the first innings. Mark Chapman has been called in as a substitute fielder.

“Team update | Kane Williamson will not field in the second innings of the Champions Trophy final due to a quad strain sustained while batting. Mark Chapman has taken his place in the field.” BLACKCAPS posted on X.

Team update | Kane Williamson will not field in the second innings of the Champions Trophy final due to a quad strain sustained while batting. Mark Chapman has taken his place in the field. #ChampionsTrophy #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/7wqdIfQEVR

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 9, 2025

At the time of writing, India have made a fantastic start, sitting at 45/0 after seven overs. Rohit Sharma has taken on the role of aggressor, batting on 33, while Shubman Gill is unbeaten on 7.

Teams

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Varun Chakaravarthy.

New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson and William O’Rourke.

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