Steyn had made a return to Test cricket after a 14 month absence.
South Africa will be missing the services of the pacer Dale Steyn in the rest of the series against India. The spearhead of Proteas bowling line up has been ruled out of the Freedom series after injuring his heel.
He damaged a tissue on his left heel during the second day of the opening Test. He had to leave the field three balls into his 18th over as he felt a pain in his left heel.
A Cricket South Africa statement on Monday (January 8) said Steyn would be reassessed after four to six weeks, which was the original timeline given by Dr Mohammed Moosajee, the South Africa team manager when Steyn had limped off the field in the last over before tea on Saturday.
Moosajee had also said Steyn would be consulting a specialist.
“The foot and ankle specialist confirmed the extent and nature of the injury,” said the CSA statement. “He is unable to do much at the moment, so he will be reassessed in 4-6 weeks. He will follow a management and rehab plan once he is out of the moon boot but he is definitely out of the India series.”
South Africa may miss his bowling in the first Test despite having three quality pacers other than him. The hosts are currently fighting it out to pile up a decent target for India. They faced a collapse on the fourth day of the first Test match and lost 5 quick wickets as the play resumed after heavy rain on day 3.