5 possible replacements for Rising Pune Supergiants' injured duo

IPL 2016 hasn't really gone according to plan for the Rising Pune Supergiants. After victory in the opening, they lost four successive games and were sinking like a stone. Just when it looked as though a lifeline had been thrown their way with the win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, disaster has struck yet again.

First Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the tournament and now South African T20 captain Faf du Plessis has been as well and just like that Pune will be without two of their best batsmen for the rest of the tournament.

Perhaps the only saving grace for Pune is that they can sign a replacement for both players. But who will they sign? What are the options? Tamim Iqbal is playing in the Dhaka Premier League and captaining his side too, which rules him out. Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan are unlikely to be considered as they haven't made a huge impact in the IPL.

So who else is out there?Let us take a look at 5 possible replacements for Rising Pune Supergiants injured duo.

Marlon Samuels

Marlon Samuels might be 35 and at times might provoke more frustration than delight but if there is one thing that he has that cannot be doubted is the talent and the ability to deliver when it matters the most. It is after all not for nothing that he has two Man of the Match awards from two World T20 finals that West Indies have won.

Although he may come across as abrasive, his talent is undeniable it is just his ability to hit big and deliver that Pune need at the moment. With time running out on their season, they need someone who can deliver under pressure and when it counts, if all those are taken into consideration, there are few better prospects than Samuels.

Although it is unlikely that RPSG are going to go form mainly due to the fact that he is another right-hander in a batting order filled with right-handers, he is in form and a gamble that might just pay off.