IPL 2023: "The Ego Is The Thing Where Peacocks Generally Clash"- Faf du Plessis Discusses The Difficulties Of Managing Virat Kohli For The RCB

According to veteran South African batsman Faf du Plessis, managing Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League (IPL) hasn’t been challenging because the two athletes don’t have ego conflicts. The former Proteas captain said that he favours fostering relationships over outperforming colleagues. 

Prior to the IPL 2022 season, Du Plessis was appointed captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team after Kohli resigned. Bangalore have again advanced to the playoffs despite not being able to win the elusive championship. 

Virat Kohli Is A Much Bigger Offer Than Me: Faf du Plessis

The South African cricket player was questioned about the difficulties of managing a celebrity like Kohli in the IPL during an engagement on The Grade Cricketer’s YouTube channel. The 38-year-old described his procedure and said:

“He’s a much bigger offer than me. You don’t try and compete. The ego is the thing where peacocks generally clash. Then like the feathers come out and you want to see who has got the shiniest in the room. Luckily, I get that about people and relationships. 

“I don’t try and outshine someone else in the dressing room. I try and build a relationship. With Virat, that was exactly my point of entry,” Du Plessis added. 

Kohli had a dismal IPL 2022 season, while the RCB captain made 468 runs in 16 matches at an average of 31.20 and a strike rate of 127.52. Only 341 runs, at an average of 22.73 and a strike rate of 115.99, were produced by him. 

Virat Kohli Is Superhuman: Faf du Plessis

Faf Du Plessis expressed surprise at the kind of enthusiasm and vigour the former Indian captain brings to the game while speaking about him. He praised the 34-year-old and added: 

“I had played against him for so long. He is one of the most competitive guys in the world of cricket to play against. You sit there and you go – how does this guy have so much energy?

Every single time a wicket falls, doesn’t matter if it’s a No.11 or an opening batter, his passion for celebration is like you just have to go, ‘I’ll take my hats off to you’. He’s superhuman.”

Du Plessis continued by saying that while they were teammates, they got to know the batsman from India’s kinder side. He said: 

“When you play with him, you see there is the other side, which is this caring guy that just wants to play cricket, and actually a really family guy. He’s amazing.” 

In advance of the IPL 2023 auction, which is slated to take place in Kochi on December 23, both Du Plessis and Kohli have been retained by RCB. 

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