Knee injury threatens du Plessis' India tour

Faf du Plessis, who is recovering from a knee injury, will begin training at full intensity only by the end of September, days before he is due to captain South Africa's T20 side in India. Du Plessis has been named in South Africa's squads across all formats despite the niggle, which has kept him out of action since August.

Du Plessis had hurt himself at practice ahead of the home series against New Zealand in August, and played no part in either the T20s or the ODIs. At the time, he was told he would be out for up to four weeks, during which time he was advised not to even run. Consensus had been that du Plessis would be ready in time for the India tour but now, it seems touch and go.

"The injury has responded slower than expected," South Africa's team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said. "Faf saw a knee specialist in Cape Town last week, where he received a second cortisone injection into the area. This seemed to have worked as he is currently pain-free. However, we need to see how he progresses. The plan is to commence training next week and build up to full intensity by the end of the month."

South Africa also have four other walking wounded, although two of them have recovered. Hashim Amla complained of a chronic neck issue, and was also found to have fractured a bone in his left thumb after the New Zealand series. But Moosajee said "both have settled." Imran Tahir had to return home early from a stint with English county side Nottinghamshire owing to a thigh injury. It was since diagnosed as a hamstring issue and Moosajee said Tahir has "responded well to treatment."

The news was not as good for Rilee Rossouw, who was ruled out out the T20s against India with a stress fracture in his left foot, but has been named in the squad for the ODIs, which begin three days after the final T20.

"Healing for this type of injury takes six to eight weeks," Moosajee explained. "Rilee is currently non-weight bearing in a moon boot but he is being assessed weekly in Bloemfontein. A decision will be made as to when he can start full-weight bearing and light running, but the aim is to have him ready for the ODIs."

Chris Morris, also in the ODI squad, will hope to recover from a groin strain he picked up while on tour in Bangladesh. He has been receiving treatment from his franchise physiotherapist in Centurion and will have a fitness assessment next week before playing in some T20 warm-up matches for Titans. Moosajee said Morris, "should be fine for the start of the India tour."