Steyn ruled out of second Test

South Africa have been dealt another major injury blow with spearhead Dale Steyn ruled out of the second Test against India with a groin injury. 

Steyn, who bowled 11 wicket-less overs in the first innings before failing to take the field in the second, underwent a fitness test on Thursday but South African management did not feel the fast bowler had recovered sufficiently for the Bengaluru Test, which begins on Saturday.

"Steyn has been ruled out of the Bangalore Test. Kyle Abbott could fill in for the injured Steyn," South Africa captain Hashim Amla told media on Friday.

Down 1-0 after losing the first Test, the Proteas had already been hit by an ankle injury to Vernon Philander, which has put him out of action for 6-8 weeks.

However, Morne Morkel – who missed the final two one-day internationals and didn't feature in the first Test due to a sore leg – will return for the second Test, as will JP Duminy who has recovered from a finger injury.

Quick single: The best of Bengaluru: five great Tests

Amla was optimistic despite the injury blows.

"Obviously losing Dale, the best bowler in the world, and Vernon, arguably the best all-rounder in the world, certainly changes the dynamics of the side,” Amla said.

"But the guys who are going to be replacing them are quality cricketers. We are fortunate that we have great depth in our bowling especially.

“If you are going to win a Test series, the series is won with 15 players usually, not just eleven. Although it’s early in the series, I still think we have a potent attack to back it up."

South Africa's initial squad for the four-Test series features Steyn, Philander, Morkel and Kagiso Rabada as the pace options, with Abbott called in after the Philander injury.

Should the Proteas elect to take a three-prong pace attack into the second Test, Abbott could be brought into the Test XI for the first time since last December.

Meanwhile Indian speedster Ishant Sharma is expected to return to the India XI in Bengaluru and could replace one of Umesh Yadav or Varun Aaron.

Sharma missed the first Test after been suspended by the International Cricket Council for one Test after breaching the code of conduct in India's Test series victory against Sri Lanka earlier this year.