Bengaluru, March 12: Former South African captain Faf du Plessis will lead Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2022 Indian Premier League, which is scheduled to kick off on March 26 in Mumbai, the franchise announced here on Saturday.
The veteran batsman from South Africa replaces outgoing captain Virat Kohli, who has been the team’s longest-serving captain. Faf Du Plessis was signed at the recently concluded Mega Auction 2022 for a sum of Rs. 7 CR.
Expressing his delight at being named RCB captain, Faf du Plessis said: “The opportunity to captain a franchise like RCB is huge and a role I gladly accepted. The work is just beginning as we try to build on the success the team has had in previous years. I would like to thank the RCB management and coaching staff for entrusting me with the role and I will do my best to ensure a successful season this time with the desired result.” Du Plessis will become the seventh to captain the Royal Challengers, with Rahul Dravid, Kevin Pietersen, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Kohli and Shane Watson previously leading the team. Among them, Kohli has captained the team in the most games: 140 games with 64 wins, 69 losses, three draws and four no results, with a winning percentage of 48.16.
On the occasion, RCB Chairman Prathmesh Mishra said: “We are excited to appoint Faf du Plessis as the new RCB captain. I congratulate Faf and welcome him to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Faf was among our top priorities in IPL auctions.
“Not only does he bring his great leadership skills to the team, but he is also an experienced batsman in the format and a proven fighter in the IPL. We are confident that with this team we embody our Play Bold philosophy and deliver an entertaining brand of cricket.” to thousands of our fans across the country and around the world.” Meanwhile, Mike Hesson, RCB’s director of cricket operations, said: “I would like to extend my best wishes to Faf du Plessis on being appointed RCB captain. Not only is Faf a world-class player, he has also shown great skill.” to lead on the international stage in all three formats of the game.
“His contribution on the field is eminent, but a leader who leads by example is highly inspiring to any team. His experience and inclusive leadership style will undoubtedly be crucial in maximizing the knowledge of all leaders within our RCB team.”
“The captaincy is not just about tactics, it is also about getting to know people and helping them achieve special things. We are confident that together with this group, we can build on the success of this team in the coming season.”
This will be Du Plessis’ first captaincy assignment in the IPL.
Speaking of Du Plessis’ IPL history, he was picked up by Chennai Super Kings in the 2011 IPL auction, but he made his IPL debut only in the following season. He played for the Super Kings from 2012 to 2015 and during the team’s two-year suspension period, he represented the Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016 and 2017.
He returned with the Super Kings from 2018 to 2021, a period in which they won two titles. He also received a bid from the Super Kings in the mega auction earlier this year, but the Royal Challengers, who were involved in a fierce bidding battle with Delhi Capitals for Du Plessis, eventually accepted him for INR 7 crore.
Du Plessis has played 100 matches (93 innings) so far in the IPL, scoring 2,935 runs at an average of 34.94 and a strike rate of 131.08, with 22 half centuries. In the last four IPL seasons, he has scored 1,640 runs in 47 innings, with 633 of those runs coming in 2021.