Blow to South Africa! Dale Steyn unlikely to take the field on Day 3

With the opening cricket Test delicately poised after two days of intense action, South Africa have suffered a big blow as pace spearhead Dale Steyn is unlikely to take field on 7 November due to a groin strain. Day 1 | Day 2 | Ashwin's heroics

Steyn, who stretched his groin while fielding on Day 1, did come out to bat on Friday but the speedster did not come out to bowl in India's second innings.

South Africa's spin coach Claude Henderson said the pacer is in discomfort and unlikely to bowl as a precautionary measure.

"I think he is struggling. I think he has got a groin strain and I can't see him bowling tomorrow," said Henderson.

Even Cricket South Africa had tweeted about Steyn's groin problem before the hosts came out to bat in their second essay.

"Dale Steyn is off the field due to a tight right groin. He is unlikely to take the field today as a precaution," CSA wrote on its twitter handle.

The Hashim Amla-led side missed their premier bowler dearly as India took their lead to 142 at stumps.

-PTI