Big blow to KXIP, Shaun Marsh ruled out of IPL

New Delhi: A day after they beat the table-toppers Gujarat Lions to return to winning ways, Kings XI Punjab were dealt a big blow as their best batsman Shaun Marsh was ruled out of the IPL with a back injury. According to the ESPNcricinfo, Marsh had probably picked up the injury in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 19, and has been carrying a niggle since. In Sunday's game, when Kings XI beat Gujarat Lions, Marsh batted and fielded with pain. He is likely to return to Australia immediately, even as the franchise discusses replacements. Marsh has scored 159 runs in the six matches he has played at an average of 31.80 with a strike rate of 118.65. His top score came against Knight Riders – 56 not out off 41 balls in a losing cause. Despite Sunday's win against Lions, Kings XI are languishing at the bottom of the points table with just two wins in seven matches. Marsh was the latest casualty in a growing list of overseas signings to be ruled out of the tournament due to injury over the past week, following Rising Pune Supergiants' Kevin Pietersen, Faf du Plessis, (Shaun's brother) Mitchell Marsh and Steven Smith.