faf du plessis
Faf du Plessis scored 2016 runs over six matches in IPL 2016. Pictured: Rising Pune Supergiants batsman Faf du Plessis in action during an IPL match between Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on April 22, 2016.IANS

Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) have suffered a major blow in their IPL 2016 campaign after star batsman Faf du Plessis got ruled out of the competition on Thursday. The South Africa T20I skipper has broken his finger.

Du Plessis posted a tweet earlier in the day mentioning that he will be "out for 6 weeks [sic]."

The MS Dhoni-led side have problems at the moment as they have not really got their season under way in the brightest way possible. RPS are currently sixth in the table with just two wins and four defeats from their six games so far.

Du Plessis had remained impressive with his batting as he scored a total of 206 runs from six matches for the Pune Supergiants. He is only second to India's Ajinkya Rahane in the highest scorers list for the team. The Proteas hard-hitter also notched consecutive half centuries for the Pune franchisee against Gujarat Lions and Kings XI Punjab.

Earlier, Pune Supergiants' English star cricketer Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the competition owing to a tear in his right calf during his team's game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Although, a replacement for Pietersen hasn't been named yet, reports have stated that Australia batsman Usman Khawaja would be roped in.