IPL 2022 Mega Auction: RCB Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson Explains Why They Went For Faf Du Plessis

Updated - 14 Feb 2022, 01:36 PM

Faf du Plessis. Image Credits: BCCI

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Faf Du Plessis, former South African skipper will play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2022. The franchise roped him in for 7 crores in the mega auction. This is the first time in the IPL, that he will not be playing alongside MS Dhoni. Meanwhile, he will patch up with the likes of Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell with RCB.

IPL Auction 2022 Live

RCB Director Of Cricket Operations, Mike Hession explained the reason behind why they went behind him. They were interested to bag Shreyas Iyer, at one point as well but then thought otherwise.

Faf Du Plessis Is A Highly Experienced Player: Mike Hesson

Faf du Plessis is a Royal Challenger

Mike Hesson gives his thoughts after getting Faf as the first draft of the day for RCB. #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPLMegaAuction #IPL2022 #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/b9Mu744q1w

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 12, 2022

“We see him as a highly experienced player at the top of the order. It allows us to look at how we balance our side. He is also a really important leader in the group so really delighted to have him” Hesson said.

Faf has a massive experience of playing in the IPL and can be an ideal replacement for AB De Villiers who is no more a part of the IPL. Ideally, the former South African skipper will open with Virat Kohli.

Faf Du Plessis played for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021 and scored 633 runs for the franchise. He played a major role in their title-winning season in 2021. Now, Faf is a part of RCB who are yet to win an IPL title. Apart from Du Plessis, the franchise spent big on getting back Harshal Patel (10.75 Cr) and Wanindu Hasaranga (10.75 Cr).

Harshal Picked up 32 wickets last season, equalling Dwane Bravo’s record of 32 wickets in 2013 and 2015. Subsequently, he made his ODI and T20I debut for India. Dinesh Karthik, who played for KKR between 2018-2021 is back with the franchise for whom he played in 2015.