Faf Du Plessis: The perfect one to lead RCB
The Royal Challengers Banglore Du Plessis's first captaincy assignment in the IPL. He has led several teams in the T20 format, including South Africa and World XI in International cricket.
Image credit: PA Images Faf du Plessis after a match for his native South AfricaStar Performer for Chennai Super King
Faf du Plessis made his debut in IPL in 2012 with Chennai Super Kings. He was picked up by Chennai Super Kings in the 2011 IPL auction but played for the Super Kings from 2012 to 2015.
During the team's two-year suspension period, he was bought by Rising Pune Super-Giants in 2016 and 2017. He was back with the Chennai Super Kings from 2018 to 2021, a period in which they won two titles.
He was released for this year's mega auction by CSK and became a player that every franchise fought hard to buy for their team.
The Royal Challengers Banglore, involved in a fierce bidding battle with Delhi Capitals, eventually roped him in for INR 7 Crore.
Stellar IPL record
Faf Du Plessis has played 100 matches (93 innings) in the IPL, scoring 2935 runs at an average of 34.94 and a strike rate of 131.08, with 22 half-centuries.
In the last four seasons of the IPL, he has scored 1640 runs in 47 innings, with 633 of those runs coming in 2021.
Faf du Plessis will become the seventh to captain the Royal Challengers, with Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Kohli, and Shane Watson. Kohli has captained the side in 140 matches, most so far with 64 wins, 69 losses, three ties, and four no results, with a win percentage of 48.16.
Commenting on Faf du Plessis, captain Virat Kohli said “I am really happy for him. He is a friend of mine and he's always been supportive of me - we get along very well.”
RCB begin their IPL 2022 campaign on March 27 against Punjab Kings at the DY Patil stadium in Mumbai.