MUMBAI, India, CMC – A groin injury has forced West Indies stroke-maker Marlon Samuels to return home from the Indian Premier League.
The Jamaican has not played for Pune Warriors in nearly three weeks since picking up the injury but with his mother now hospitalised following a fall, the right-hander has decided to head back to the Caribbean to be with her and also finish his recuperation.
“The groin injury was taking time to heal but after he received news about his Mom having her knee plate fractured, he became restless and asked if he could head back home,” team spokesman Abhijit Sarkar was quoted as saying.
The 32-year-old was expected to play a key role for Pune with his all-round skills but has been limited to just two games since the start of the tournament.
He scored five and took one for 34 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and managed just three against Kings XI Punjab a few days later.
Though Samuels has returned to Jamaica, team officials are hopeful he can rejoin the side if they should make the playoff stage.
Pune currently lie one from bottom on four points from two wins.
Samuels is one of the most sought after players in international cricket and was earlier this month voted one of the five Wisden Players of the Year.
