Faf du Plessis joins MS Dhoni, Steve Smith in elite captaincy list after leading DC in IPL 2025
Published - 21 May 2025, 09:04 PM | Updated - 21 May 2025, 11:40 PM
Delhi Capitals are taking on Mumbai Indians in the crucial IPL 2025 clash without their captain, Axar Patel. The spin-bowling allrounder missed the clash due to a 'bad flu'.
With Axar sidelined, veteran South Africa star Faf du Plessis took charge of the team against the Mumbai Indians. Speaking at toss, the former Proteas captain revealed that Axar missed out because of illness, saying: "Axar's been down with flu. Really sick in the last two days. We'll miss him today."
And even before the first ball of the match was bowled, Faf du Plessis created a number of records because of his captaincy duties. He became the oldest player to lead Delhi Capitals in the IPL. In the overall list, he is only behind MS Dhoni, Shane Warne, and Adam Gilchrist.
Oldest players to lead an IPL team:
- MS Dhoni - 43 years 317 days
- Shane Warne - 41 years 249 days
- Adam Gilchrist - 41 years 185 days
- Faf du Plessis - 40 years 312 days
- Rahul Dravid - 40 years 133 days
Also Read: 'Traumatised' Nahid Rana And Two Support Staff Members Pull Out Of Pakistan Tour
In another milestone, Faf du Plessis became only the second player to lead both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals in the IPL. The first player to achieve the feat was Kevin Pietersen. Incidentally, Pietersen is currently plying his trade as a mentor for Delhi Capitals.
Faf du Plessis also became only the tenth overseas player to lead more than one IPL team. The players to achieve this feat are:
- Adam Gilchrist (DCH & PBKS)
- Brendon McCullum (KKR & GL)
- Cameron White (SRH & DCH)
- David Warner (SRH & DC)
- Kevin Pietersen (DC & RCB)
- Kumar Sangakkara (DCH, PBKS, SRH)
- Mahela Jayawardene (DC, KTK, PBKS)
- Shane Watson (RR, RCB)
- Steve Smith (PWI, RR, RPSG)
- Faf du Plessis (RCB, DC)
A do-or-die match for Faf du Plessis & Co.
Meanwhile, the match against the Mumbai Indians is a do-or-die one for the Delhi Capitals. They need to win the game at any cost to keep their playoffs hopes alive. Mumbai and Delhi are fighting for the one remaining playoffs spot.
A win for Mumbai against Delhi would take them to the playoffs. On the other hand, a win for Delhi would not confirm their playoffs spot but would put them in a strong position. If Delhi beat Mumbai and win their last league game too, they will qualify for the playoffs irrespective of what happens in other matches.
Even if Delhi fail to win their last league game, they will qualify for the playoffs if Mumbai suffer a defeat in their last league match.
About the Author
Mukesh Singh is an Author and Editor at Cricketaddictor. Mukesh has been associated with the organiz... Read more
