IPL 2016: Shaun Marsh hospitalised due to food poisoning

The Kings XI Punjab lost their first Indian Premier League (IPL) match of this season against the Gujarat Lions yesterday. They were dealt a major setback before the match as their star batsman Shaun Marsh was admitted to hospital due to food poisoning on 11 April.

The Australian was present in the training session of the team on Sunday but came down with illness on the next morning. His teammates Marcus Stoinis and Kyle Abbott have also suffered from food poisoning this week, but both have recovered.

Admitted as a necessary precaution

An official from the Punjab-based franchise said there are no major concerns with Marsh’s condition and the 32-year-old was admitted as a necessary precaution.

Punjab played the match with Marcus Stoinis replacing Marsh. They were comprehensively beaten by IPL debutants the Gujarat Lions. The Kings, however, had a sublime start to their innings but the middle order could not capitalise on the platform provided.

Marsh’s absence affects the team

The absence of the Australian batsman clearly affected the team’s performance. In their allotted quota of 20 overs, they scored 161 runs on a good batting pitch at Mohali. The Gujarat Lions chased down the target with ease and won the match by five wickets.

Aaron Finch played a superb innings of 74 of 47 balls while opening the batting for Gujarat Lions. He was also awarded the player of the match award for his heroics.

The 32-year-old left-handed batsman has been a prolific run-getter for the Punjab side. He has been an instrumental part of the team from the first season of the IPL and has scored 2054 runs in 56 matches with an average of 41.91 and a strike-rate of 133.55.

The Western Australian came to the limelight in the first season of the IPL when he was acquired by the Kings XI Punjab. In 11 matches that season he scored 616 runs with an average of 68.44 and with a strike-rate of 139.68. He was the highest run-scorer of the tournament and was awarded the Orange Cap.

The Kings will be looking for a better show when they face Delhi Daredevils in their next match on 15 April.