India vs South Africa: Vernon Philander ruled out of action for six weeks

Bengaluru: South Africa on Thursday received a severe jolt ahead of the second cricket Test with pacer Vernon Philander being ruled out for rest of the series after he suffered multiple ligament injuries in his left ankle.

"Phillander has undergone treatment at our hospital. He was treated for a multiple ligament injuries on his left ankle and has been plastered," Hosmat Medical Director Dr Ajit Benedict Royan told PTI here.

"Therefore he will be out of action from playing cricket for next six weeks. He may fly back to South Africa also," he added.

Philander twisted his left ankle during a warm-up football game and was carried back by the support staff after he was seen writhing in pain.

"Vernon stepped on Dean's (Elgar) foot by accident in our warm-up. A very freakish accident... I have seen much worse before. He is very unlucky," he told reporters here.

"He (Vernon) limped off the field ... It might be bad ...," Villiers added.

With Dale Steyn too all but ruled out of the second Test due to a groin strain, Philander's injury will leave South Africa with just two frontline quicks in their attack - Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel.

South Africa are 0-1 down in the four-match Test series against India. The visitors lost the first Test by 108-run at Mohali.