Faf du Plessis ruled out of IPL 9

The Rising Pune Supergiants have received yet another setback as one of their leading performers this season, Faf du Plessis has been ruled out of the IPL following a finger injury.

The Supergiants had earlier received a big blow when Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of this season following a calf injury. Skipper MS Dhoni had then remarked the injury to be a blessing in disguise but losing another international batsman to injury might actually concern the skipper. Now, with opener Faf du Plessis being injured, the Supergiants have a major dent in their batting order.

Read also – Kevin Pietersen ruled out of IPL 2016 with a calf injury

Faf took to social media and announced his exit from the tournament following the injury. He tweeted, “And so my Ipl tournament unfortunately comes to and end.Broken finger and out for 6 weeks.Thanx India and @RPSupergiants it’s been fun.”

And so my Ipl tournament unfortunately comes to and end.Broken finger and out for 6 weeks.Thanx India and @RPSupergiants it's been fun.??

— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) April 28, 2016

Faf du Plessis is the second leading run-scorer for RPS this season, after Ajinkya Rahane, and is 8th on the list of contenders for the Orange Cap. Du Plessis had scored 206 runs in the 6 matches that he played this season at an average of 34.33 and a strike rate of 127.16. He even scored 2 fifties this season and was a vital cog in the wheel for the Supergiants. The team management will definitely have a tough time finding the right replacement for him.

Interestingly, the Pune franchise are yet to zero in a replacement for Pietersen. Now they will have to find another replacement for the injured South Africa. Australian opener Usman Khawaja is the forerunner to replace Pietersen. With Faf du Plessis being injured, the opening slot goes vacant and hence the probability of Usman Khawaja joining the side becomes a certainty.

What did Raina say about captaincy? – I have a responsibility, I have to perform for my players: Suresh Raina