Dale Steyn could miss rest of Mohali Test due to groin injury

South Africa will miss the much needed reverse swing of Steyne

South Africa received a setback on second day of Mohali Test as Dale Steyn suffered a groin strain on field. As precautionary measure he did not bowl during India’s second innings. Things appeared more serious at the end of day.

The visiting team’s spin consultant Claude Henderson did not sound positive about the pacer’s chances of playing on Day 3. "I think he's struggling. I think he has got a groin strain and I can't see him bowling tomorrow (Saturday).”

South Africa is already struggling in the match. After bowling out the Proteas for a mere total of 184 runs After second innings, India has a lead of 217. This is where Steyn gun’s reverse swing would have helped the visiting team. However, they have an option in the form of Kagiso Rabada who bowls at around 145 kph plus.

With Steyn at the benches, Vernon Philander will lead South Africa’s bowling attack. The team will have to depend more on spin now as fast bowler Morne Morkel is also missing the Mohali match due to injury. Henderson feels that legspinner Imran Tahir willnow have more opportunity to showcase his talent. The 36-year-old has already picked five wickets till now.

“Imran Tahir has just come back into Test cricket. He is seen as an attacking bowler by Hashim, so maybe that’s why he is using him in short spells, and Dean Elgar took four wickets in the first innings. But I agree, I would have loved to see him bowl longer today. Maybe that will happen tomorrow. The good sign is I’ve seen Imran bowl a few balls in the last session that turned and bounced,” Henderson had said yesterday.

The visiting team’s spin consultant said early wickets and restricting India’s lead to 200 runs will help his side. “We need wickets early to try to create some pressure. Anything above 200 will be challenging. But I’ve seen this team do some special things. With our batting line-up I wouldn’t be at ease if I was India because there’s a lot of time left in this game. But you don’t want to go past 300,” he added.