South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the ongoing first India Test underway in Cape Town with a heel injury, reports stated.
The pacer had left the field with a bruised left heel on Saturday, the second day of his first Test match in more than a year. Steyn pulled up three balls into his 18th over after taking two for 51 in the first Test against India at Newlands.
According to reports, Steyn has tissue damage in the heel area. He has been given a recovery period of four-six weeks and could end up missing the rest of the series.
A team spokesman said the injury was being assessed and treated. They will consult a specialist on Sunday.
Breaking: Dale Steyn has tissue damage in heel area. Won't bowl in this Test again. Recovery period 4-6 weeks. Probably out of rest of series. CSA to consult specialist tomorrow. #SAvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) January 6, 2018
Steyn, 34, had not played in a first-class match since suffering a fractured shoulder in a Test in Australia in November 2016.
He was included in a four-man pace attack for the India Test despite coach Ottis Gibson expressing concern about risking him because of a lack of match practice.
In the only cricket since his injury, Steyn bowled 18 overs in five Twenty20 matches for his franchise, the Titans, as well as 12 overs in a low-key appearance for an Invitation XI against the touring Zimbabweans in December.
