SA vs IND 1st Test: Dale Steyn Taken To Hospital For Scan
The second day of the ongoing first Test in Cape Town went from bad to worse for South Africa as their pace spearhead Dale Steyn had to be taken to hospital for a scan on his left heel. The 34-year old, who was making his much-anticipated return to Test cricket in the game, had walked off the ground midway through his 18th over.
Initially it looked as if it was not serious although he stopped during his run-up and immediately threw the ball to Vernon Philander to complete the over before walking off the ground. There were also speculations that he was having some issues with his shoes but he did not emerge from the dressing room even after Tea.
Later, Cricket South Africa gave the update on their official Twitter handle, writing:
“Official Update: Dale Steyn has a bruised left heel and has been taken for scans for further investigations. CSA will give an update when available.”
Official Update: Dale Steyn has a bruised left heel and has been taken for scans for further investigations. CSA will give an update when available. #<!---->P<!---->r<!---->o<!---->t<!---->e<!---->a<!---->F<!---->i<!---->r<!---->e p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->z<!---->1<!---->G<!---->B<!---->i<!---->P<!---->H<!---->t<!---->A<!---->e
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
Before the injury setback, Steyn, playing his first Test since November 2016, looked sharp as ever as he caused all sorts of troubles for Indian batsmen. He took 2 for 51 before walking off the pitch.
Meanwhile, riding on Hardik Pandya’s 93-run knock, India managed to put up a good total after being reduced to 92 for 7. Starting the day on 28 for 3, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma managed to keep the wickets intact but failed to score at a good pace. Their dodgy stand was finally broken when Kagiso Rabada’s venomous inswinging delivery trapped Rohit in front. With runs not coming at an ideal rate, India could score only 48 runs in the first session but more importantly lost just one wicket.
However, their good work was undone soon after lunch when South Africa took three quick wickets to reduce them to 92 for 7. But before South Africa could make further inroads, Hardik Pandya, riding on his luck, launched a stunning counterattack to take the Proteas by surprise. He was well supported by Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the duo added 99 runs for the eighth wicket before the latter was sent back by Morne Morkel for 25.
Pandya was the next to go when he edged a bouncer from Kagiso Rabada behind the stumps to miss his second Test century by just seven runs. India were eventually folded up for 209 in reply to South Africa’s 286.
