ICC World Cup 2019 | I’m really feeling bad for Dale Steyn, says Virat Kohli

Speaking in a press conference, Virat Kohli spoke affectionately of his friend Dale Steyn as he wished him a speedy recovery. On the eve of India’s first World Cup match where they face off South Africa, the veteran fast bowler was replaced with left-arm fast medium bowler Beuran Hendricks after the 35 year old could not recover from his shoulder injury, having already missed the team’s first two games. 

“I’m really feeling bad for Dale because he looked really happy. He was bowling really well and then suddenly, we find out that he’s not going to be able to continue. So I feel bad for him because he’s been a friend for a long time and he’s a very motivated guy,” Kohli told reporters.

Widely regarded as one of the best bowlers of all time, Steyn has 196 wickets from 125 ODI matches and has been known to be simply unplayable when he gets going. The highest wicket taker in Proteas’ history,  had missed the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy too due to a surgery.

“He’s been very happy to come back and play for South Africa. He has been doing really well and he has that hunger and passion in him still. Those niggles and injuries are not going his way and I can understand his frustration about that,” said Kohli.

Having been drafted late into the Royal Challengers bangalore team as a replacement for Nathan Coulter-Nile, Steyn only played for the Kohli-led team in a couple of games before his right-shoulder injury ruled him out of the league, a trouble he has been facing for quite some time now. 

“I wish him a speedy recovery, but of what I saw of him he was looking in a great mental space. He was very happy. He was enjoying his cricket, bowling really well, getting along with everyone so I can understand he must be feeling gutted,” Kohli concluded his message.