In what will come as a stunning blow for Kings XI Punjab, Australian batsman Shaun Marsh has been sidelined for the rest of this year’s edition of the IPL with a back injury. It appears that Marsh picked up the injury during his knock of 56* on April 19 against Kolkata Knight Riders, and has finally succumbed to it.
Marsh has been one of the best batsmen for the KXIP team who are struggling to lift themselves from the bottom of the table. His consistent contributions with the bat have been one of the few bright spots for the Punjab outfit this season.
Marsh missed the first match of the campaign with a bout of food poisoning, before accruing 159 runs in the six games he played, at 31.80, with a strike rate of 118.65.
KXIP will have been given a big boost as a result of their victory against Gujarat Lions on Sunday, having won the first match they played under the captaincy of newly anointed Murali Vijay, and that too against the league leaders. Marsh batted and fielded in the match, but managed to score only 1 run and was seen struggling in the field.
Marsh is expected to return to Australia for scans and treatment immediately, and the KXIP management is understood to be currently discussing replacements.
Marsh joins an ever-increasing list of foreign superstar players who have been pulled out midway through the season with injuries, a list that also includes his brother Mitchell Marsh. Rising Pune Supergiants have been the hardest hit by this, having already lost Kevin Pietersen, Steven Smith, Faf du Plessis and the younger Marsh to injuries.
Kolkata Knight Riders are also awaiting a replacement being named for the injured John Hastings. Lendl Simmons was ruled out for the Mumbai Indians, while WT20 star Samuel Badree also has had to miss out.
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