Dale Steyn was ‘not medically ready’ for India tour, clarifies Cricket South Africa

The confusion surrounding Dale Steyn’s absence from South Africa’s T20I squad for their upcoming tour of India has taken another turn. Earlier this month, the legendary Proteas pacer brought down curtains on his Test career in order to focus more on white-ball cricket. Steyn has struggled with a spate of injuries in recent times and bowing out of Tests looked like a wide idea. However, he received a huge shock when South Africa ignored him for their upcoming T20I series against India.

The Proteas will tour India next month for a T20I and Test series. Both the teams will play three T20Is and as many Tests. Steyn, on Wednesday, raised several eyebrows with his sly dig at South Africa. The veteran pacer did not slam or criticise the decision but his tweets made it more or less clear that he was not being considered for selection. However, Cricket South Africa have now issued a statement, contradicting Steyn’s claims.

While Steyn said that he made himself available for the T20I series, South Africa have said that the pacer was not medically ready. Steyn has been on the sidelines since injuring his shoulder in April while playing in the Indian Premier League. The pacer was a part of South Africa’s World Cup squad but did not play any game. He was later ruled out of the tournament.

“He is not yet medically ready and our information makes that very clear,” Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) acting director of cricket Corrie van Zyl.

Van Zyl also informed that both Vernon Philander (hamstring) and Theunis de Bruyn (back) were on course to recover fully before the start of the three-Test series against India in October.

“Both are on track, but they will have to play one match before the tour to prove that they are fully fit,” Van Zyl said.

South Africa’s new-look T20I side

South Africa, meanwhile, have made it pretty clear that they have started planning for the next year’s T20 World Cup by naming a new-look side. Quinton de Kock will lead the side against India while Rassie van der Dussen will be his deputy. In Anrich Nortje, Temba Bavuma and Bjorn Fortuin, South Africa picked three newcomers in T20I squad.