Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), on the expected lines, announced Faf du Plessis as their new skipper ahead of the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The three-time finalists were on the lookout for a new captain after the former skipper Virat Kohli stepped down from the role, following the IPL 2021, where the Bangalore-based franchise lost in the Eliminator.
Du Plessis, who has played only under MS Dhoni in the IPL (for Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiants) will be making his captaincy debut in the cash-rich league as he succeeds Kohli, who led RCB in 140 games across 11 years. However, the 37-year old is not new to the leadership role, having led South Africa in all three formats previously and also several franchises in T20 leagues around the world.
As du Plessis embarks on a new journey, let’s take a look at his record as a captain in the shortest format:
Du Plessis, before stepping down as Proteas captain in February 2020 led the Men in Green in 36 Tests, 39 ODIs and 40 T20Is. The Pretoria-born lad, who made his debut for SA in 2011, was made the full-time captain in T20Is in 2013.
Since then, du Plessis led South Africa to some memorable wins, most importantly the 2-run win against New Zealand in the 2014 T20 World Cup which helped them to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
In 40 games, du Plessis led South Africa to 25 T20I wins, while they lost the remaining 15 of them. He led South Africa in three ICC tournaments, including a couple of T20 World Cups (2014, 2016) and the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.
Not just South Africa, since his ouster from the national side, du Plessis has become one of the most trusted overseas captaincy options in the franchise leagues around the world. After leading Paarl Rocks in Mzansi Super League at home, du Plessis has also captained Saint Lucia Zouks, Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League and Comilla Victorians in Bangladesh Premier League.
Du Plessis’ best knock in the T20s as captain came in the 2021 edition of the CPL when he smashed 120* for St. Lucia Zouks.
In 79 matches as captain in T20 cricket overall, Faf du Plessis has registered 43 wins while ending up on the losing side on 34 occasions, with one game being tied and the other being abandoned due to rain. Du Plessis would want to increase that winning percentage of 55 as he becomes 7th captain of the Bangalore franchise and builds on the legacy of the likes of Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori and Virat Kohli.
