Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) have taken another blow in a span of two days as another all-rounder -- Marcus Stoinis -- will be departing early from IPL 2016, stating 'personal unavoidable circumstances.' That leaves KXIP with only five foreign recruits in their squad for their remaining two fixtures of the season.
Stoinis got into the groove in the last few fixtures and that was a bonus for KXIP, after yet another poor start to the IPL season. The Australian all-rounder scored 146 runs in seven matches at an average of 36.50. He also maintained a healthy strike rate of 135.18.
He also populated the wickets column, as he picked up eight in seven matches with an economy of 8.43. His best figures came against Mumbai Indians when he picked up four wickets, by conceding just 15 runs during his spell of four overs.
However, it will not make much of a difference to KXIP in terms of their season, as they are out of contention for a spot in IPL 2016 playoffs. But, the Punjab outfit are left with a depleted squad going of their last two matches of IPL 2016.
Stoinis is not a part of the Australia squad which will be traveling to the Caribbean islands for the tri-series. Glenn Maxwell, who is a part of the squad for the upcoming tri-series, left earlier this week, after he picked up a side strain.
"Glenn reported increasing soreness in his left abdomen area following last night's match and as such a decision was made for him to return home for further assessment and treatment ahead of the West Indies tour," Australia's Support Team Physiotherapist David Beakley was quoted as saying by the official website of Cricket Australia.
"From the information we have so far, the injury doesn't appear to be something that will prevent Glenn from participating in this tour, but we are keen to give him the necessary time to recover before departing to the West Indies at the end of this month."
Australians Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh, who also left early from IPL 2016 due to injuries, are expected to be fit ahead of the tri-series in the West Indies, which is scheduled to start from June 3.
