Dale Steyn comes to bat despite injury, wins hearts of Twitterati

Although the South African team registered a comprehensive victory in the opener in Cape Town, they received a major blow as marquee pacer Dale Steyn will have to sit out with yet another injury. Steyn, playing his first Test match since he injured his shoulder against Australia in November 2016, picked up an injury to his left heel in the final over before tea on Day 2 of the first Test against India.

Steyn sustained serious tissue damage to his left heel as he landed awkwardly in a foot-hole. And it was confirmed after subsequent scans that the Phalaborwa Express would be sidelined for the remainder of the series. However, much to the surprise of players and fans alike, in a heroic errand, Steyn came out to bat with the injury as his team struggled in their second innings. With 9 wickets down and the game being turned upside down with some exquisite Indian fast bowling, Steyn walked out to the middle.

The 34-year-old could be seen slightly limping off his feet as he took the crease. The fast bowler came and joined AB de Villiers in the middle who was running out of partners and said, “I am fine. Take it easy”. Steyn even worked the ball into gaps two times but failed to run a single because of his injury.

Steyn’s heroics did not go unnoticed as later fans took to Twitter to laud the pacer’s efforts.

You can see the reactions below

Steyn saying to Abd
"I am fine. Take it easy"
Respect for @DaleSteyn62?
Feels bad for @ABdeVilliers17
No one helped him around #SAvIND

— Sujit Yadav (@imSujityd) January 8, 2018

Graeme Smith in 2009. (Batted with a broken finger)
Dale Steyn in 2018. (Batting with a broken leg)

History repeats itself. The greatest Cricketing team ever, Proteas. Such commitment.#ProteaFire #INDvSA @OfficialCSA

— Hari Sriram (@harisriram28) January 8, 2018

Hats off to @DaleSteyn62 for coming out to bat! Limping his way out on the field & sternly facing the last 4 balls of that over! Incredible determination! #INDvSA

— Sachin (@SachinKhunte) January 8, 2018

Limping out there to help his team is an injured @DaleSteyn62. What a hero this guy is. This is Marshall-esque, Kumble-esque! #SAvIND

— Gaurav Sabnis (@gauravsabnis) January 8, 2018

Duanne Olivier to replace Steyn for the second Test

In the interim, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has named Duanne Olivier as Steyn’s replacement for the second Test against India at Centurion. Young pacer Lungi Ngidi has also been added to the squad. The rest of the squad for the Test remains the same as the one that was named for the opening Test at Cape Town.