IPL 2022: Appointing Faf du Plessis as captain a teriffic decision by RCB, says Sunil Gavaskar
India Today
IPL 2022: Sunil Gavaskar said Faf du Plessis's wealthy experience of leading South Africa will come in handy as he prepares to captain RCB in the new 10-team season.
Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar teemed Royal Challengers Bangalore's decision to appoint Faf du Plessis as captain for Indian Premier League 2022 a terrific call, adding that the leadership experience of the South Africa veteran will come in handy for the former finalists.
RCB on Saturday named Faf du Plessis as Virat Kohli's successor, setting the ball rolling for IPL 2022. The South African star, who had spent close to a decade with Chennai Super Kings, was bought by the Bengaluru-based franchise for Rs 7 crore at the IPL 2022 mega auction.
Speculation was rife that Glenn Maxwell might be considered for the captaincy role after he was retained by RCB. However, Bengaluru handed over the reins to du Plessis at a glittering ceremony in the Southern Indian city on Saturday.
Speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar said Faf du Plessis has loads of experience leading the national side and highlighted how he brought the players together and helped the Proteas to the top of world cricket. The 37-year-old had led South Africa in 36 Tests and 39 ODIs between 2013 and 2019.
"Loads of captaincy experience, loads of leadership quality you see in Faf du Plessis. I am not surprised at all. Remember, he took South African cricket ahead. There was a time in South African cricket when there was a bit of turmoil. He managed to get the team together and get South Africa right up to the top. Clearly, a terrific decision by RCB to hand over the captaincy to Faf du Plessis," Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar added that Faf du Plessis will look to show the way forward for RCB by continuing to open the bating in the IPL. Du Plessis has been one of the most consistent players in the IPL so far as the former CSK star has scored 2935 runs in 100 matches in the IPL. The South Africa star was in superb form for CSK during their victorious run in the IPL 2021 campaign, scoring 633 runs in 16 matches.
"Big shoes to fill (AB de Villiers' absence), no doubt about that. Faf du Plessis will open the batting. He would want to lead from the front, show the way. These are exciting times for RCB," he added.
