IPL 2022: Sunil Gavaskar Says RCB Appointing Faf Du Plessis As Captain Is A Terrific Decision
Published - 13 Mar 2022, 03:11 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:05 AM
India cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar has deemed the decision of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) decision to name Faf du Plessis as their captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) as a terrific decision. He added that the leadership experience of the South Africa veteran will come in handy for the former three-time IPL 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. The RCB franchise also unveiled their new look jersey for the upcoming IPL season as well.
Many speculated that one of Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, or Dinesh Karthik would become the next RCB captain after Virat Kohli had stepped down from the leadership rule after IPL 2021 edition which was played half in India and half in UAE. However, in a glittering ceremony in Bengaluru, RCB handed over the reins to du Plessis.
Speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar said Faf du Plessis has loads of experience leading the national side and highlighted how he led the South African side and helped them get to the top of the world cricket.
“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.
The 37-year-old had led South Africa in 36 Tests and 39 ODIs between 2013 and 2019.
His Involvement Is Total, He Wants His Team To Win: Sunil Gavaskar On Virat Kohli’s Commitment Towards RCB
Faf du Plessis made his IPL debut in 2011 for Chennai Super Kings and played for them for almost a decade, in between appearing for Rising Pune Supergiant when CSK was banned for two years. He 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.
However, Sunil Gavaskar also said that no one should think that now Virat Kohli is not captain of the RCB, so his commitment towards the franchise will decrease. He added that his commitment to a team is total regardless of whether he is captain or not.
“Don’t for a moment think just because Kohli is not captain, his performance is going to go down. We have seen him even now in Tests, how he is all the time with Rohit Sharma, trying to help him out. His involvement is total, he wants his team to win, whether he is captain or not. So that is what he will do with RCB,” he added.
RCB will open their campaign against Punjab Kings on March 27.
