New Delhi: South Africa's premier bowler Dale Steyn appears likely to miss the second Test against India after sustaining a groin strain in the Mohali Test.
According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the right-arm fast bowler will undertake a fitness test two days before the Bangalore Test, which starts on November 14.
Steyn, in 81 Tests, has taken 402 wickets which includes 25 five-wicket hauls and 10-wicket in a match ten times. And with the best bowling strike rate of all time in Test, he is considered the best of the lot.
The absence of number one ranked Test bowler will certainly give India that much needed elbow room when negotiating the new ball, even though the hosts are likely to go for yet another rank turner in M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The 32-year-old could bowled only 11 overs in the first Test, without success. After stretching his groin while fielding on Day 1, he did not come out to bowl in India's second innings.
South Africa's bowling coach Claude Henderson had said that the pacer was in discomfort and will not bowl as a precautionary measure.
"I think he is struggling. I think he has got a groin strain and I can't see him bowling tomorrow," said Henderson on Friday.
Even Cricket South Africa had tweeted about Steyn's groin problem before the hosts came out to bat in their second essay.
"Dale Steyn is off the field due to a tight right groin. He is unlikely to take the field today as a precaution," CSA wrote on its twitter handle.
The Hashim Amla-led side missed their premier bowler dearly as India won the match by 108 runs inside three days.
However, both Jean-Paul Duminy and Morne Morkel have recovered from their respective injuries and are likely to feature in the second Test. With Steyn out of picture, the presence of Morkel will at give the Proteas a cover in the pace front. And the return of Duminy will allow them tinker with the batting line-up, without compromising on the spin department as the 31-year-old is an useful off-break bowler.
