Ruled out due to a back niggle, Shaun Marsh has joined a growing list of injured players to leave the IPL this year. Dirk Nannes and Daryll Cullinan look at Kings XI Punjab's options to replace him (3:16)

Kings XI Punjab batsman Shaun Marsh has been ruled out of the IPL with a back injury.

ESPNcricinfo understands Marsh picked up the injury in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 19, and has been carrying a niggle since. He batted and fielded in Sunday's game, when Kings XI beat Gujarat Lions, with some discomfort. He is likely to return to Australia immediately, even as the franchise discusses replacements.

Marsh had missed the team's opening game with food poisoning, before scoring 159 runs in the six matches he played, at 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 sit at the bottom of the points table after seven matches, with only two victories.

Marsh was the latest 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.