South Africa’s Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the Test series against India, after seeing a foot and ankle specialist on Sunday. He has been suggested to take rest for four to six weeks’ time. He had sustained significant damage on his left heel in Cape Town.

Steyn suffered a bruised ankle just before tea on Day 2 of the ongoing Test against India. He was immediately taken for a scan, which showed that the plantar fascia has separated from the bone. He paid a visit to a specialist on Sunday, who confirmed the nature and extent of the injury but was unable to provide any means of speeding up his recovery.

The ace pacer is currently in a moon boot and will be reassessed as his recovery progresses. Duanne Olivier and Lungi Ngidi are among contentions for the apt replacements.

With South Africa be hosting, Australia in March, Steyn might be doubtful for the start of that series as well. He would need some game time before playing international cricket. South Africa will also be playing ODIs and T20s against India in February, which Steyn might try to participate in.

Steyn has not completed three of the last five Tests he has played and remains three wickets away from overtaking Shaun Pollock as South Africa’s leading Test wicker-taker.