On March 31, disaster struck as Williamson took the field for the Gujarat Titans (GT) against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In a valiant attempt to catch a six-bound ball near the boundary, he landed awkwardly on his right leg, clutching his knee in immediate agony. The aftermath led to his swift return to New Zealand and a surgery in June. Since then, the 33-year-old has been engaged in intensive rehabilitation, missing out on the Blackcaps’ international season and notably absent from the Kiwi squads for the ODI and T20I series against England.

In a recent development, Gary Stead, the head coach of New Zealand, has voiced his confidence in Williamson’s eligibility for selection. Stead lauded the skipper’s unwavering commitment during the rehabilitation process, acknowledging the immense dedication Williamson has shown.

“Kane has applied phenomenal dedication to his rehabilitation and has been supported by a strong group of experts around him. He’s left no stone unturned in trying to get back playing cricket at the highest level. We are delighted to be in a place to select him,” Stead said, quoting the ICC.

However, Stead also emphasized the importance of a cautious approach to Williamson’s comeback, considering the extended duration of the World Cup.

“At the same time, he’s also kept perspective about his recovery and hasn’t wanted to rush or force his way back too early. As we’ve previously said, it’s great he wants to play cricket for New Zealand in the long term,” the 51-year-old coach added.

“As we’ve said throughout this process we want to give Kane every bit of available time to aid his recovery. The World Cup is not a short tournament, and we will continue to monitor his progress over the next month ahead of the first tournament match,” Stead concluded.

Kane Williamson’s stellar performance in the 2019 World Cup, where he amassed 578 runs in nine innings, played a pivotal role in steering his team to the final. Additionally, his contributions in the 2015 edition of the ODI World Cup further cement his legacy in New Zealand cricket.

The upcoming ODI World Cup is set to kick off with a highly anticipated showdown between New Zealand and England, the finalists from the previous edition. The first match is scheduled for October 5, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.