Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn will undergo shoulder surgery and miss the remainder of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he was serving as a commentator. Steyn announced the news on his X account on Wednesday, stating he had returned home to India for the procedure.
“So unfortunately I’ve had to come home early, I’m having shoulder surgery tomorrow which has forced me to miss the remainder of the World Cup in terms of commentary,” Steyn posted. “Bummed, but that’s life. Thanks again India, see you in the IPL.”
Responding to a question from former teammate Herschelle Gibbs about the cause of the injury, Steyn revealed it occurred during participation in the Legends League Cricket. “Tore my pec in the legends league… Clearly my body is saying something to me,” he wrote.
The development comes as the T20 World Cup enters its Super Eight stage. India and South Africa are scheduled to meet in a crucial Super Eight match on Sunday, February 22, at the Narendra Modi Stadium. India secured a 61-run victory over Pakistan in Group A, and previously defeated South Africa by 30 runs in a warm-up match on February 4.
South Africa advanced from Group D alongside Recent Zealand. Seven teams – West Indies, India, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Zimbabwe – have already qualified for the Super Eight, with the final spot to be determined between Pakistan and the United States on Wednesday.
Steyn, who retired from international cricket in 2021, is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of the modern era, having taken 439 Test wickets and 196 ODI wickets during his international career, according to ESPNcricinfo data as of February 21, 2020. His absence from the commentary box will be noted, particularly following his contributions during South Africa’s recent win over Afghanistan.