IPL 2019: Virat Kohli prays for Dale Steyn’s speedy recovery

South African speedster Dale Steyn made a comeback to international cricket after a stint with injury but he suffered a shoulder inflammation mid-way in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and was ruled out. Steyn had replaced injured Australian pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile in Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad but could play in just two games before having a shoulder strain. He was set to return home for recuperation and the Proteas are now concerned over getting the veteran pacer into shape before the World Cup kicks off on May 30.

Steyn took four wickets in two games in this IPL at an average of 17.25 after he played in the tournament since 2016. The South African team management felt the urgency to ensure that the 35-year-old regains his fitness ahead of the WC and advised him rest. His injury will be assessed once he returns home and the subsequent decision will be taken. Steyn, who is the highest wicket-taker for SA in Tests with 439 scalps, will be playing in his final World Cup along with quite a few in the squad.

“Steyn will be assessed by a shoulder specialist and measures will be put in place to get him ready for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in England and Wales next month,” Cricket South Africa said in a media release on Thursday.

Kohli calls Steyn a champion on and off field

The RCB management wished the veteran pacer luck in regaining fitness fast and captain Virat Kohli, too, prayed for his early recovery. In a tweet, Kohli wished a speedy recovery for Steyn who he also referred to as a “champion on and off the field”. In the World Cup, though, Kohli will be facing Steyn (hoping he gets fit fast) in the very first match that India play in Southampton on June 5.

Here is Virat’s tweet

In the RCB, Steyn played alongside AB de Villiers, the former South Africa captain who had made his Test debut with the former in the same match. De Villiers, who captained SA in the last World Cup, however, called it quits last year and plays only franchise cricket now.

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