Faf du Plessis

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Du Plessis was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2022 Indian Premier League auction and named team captain on 12 March 2022. His leadership came after a decorated international career where he served as South Africa's full-time captain across all formats from August 2017. As international captain, he achieved a winning percentage of 73.68 in ODIs and became the first captain to defeat Australia in Australia across all three formats. He also whitewashed Australia 5-0 in a 2016 ODI series. With Chennai Super Kings, du Plessis was a major part of their success, winning two IPL titles and a Champions League title. In November 2025, he announced his IPL retirement on social media after playing his final season with Delhi Capitals, withdrawing from the 2026 auctions to join the Pakistan Super League.

In Their Own Story

The 2022 IPL auction saw du Plessis picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore, and within weeks he was named captain on 12 March 2022. The move came after years of leadership experience: he had taken over South Africa's Test captaincy in December 2016 and assumed full-time captaincy in all formats in August 2017. His international captaincy record included a 73.68 winning percentage in ODIs and historic series wins against Australia. Before RCB, du Plessis had been integral to Chennai Super Kings' success, helping them secure two IPL titles and a Champions League trophy. His final IPL season came with Delhi Capitals, after which he announced his retirement from the league in November 2025, withdrawing from the 2026 auctions to join the Pakistan Super League.

Reader's Guide

Du Plessis joined Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2022 IPL auction and was named captain on 12 March 2022. His leadership pedigree was established internationally: he became South Africa's Test captain in December 2016 and full-time captain across all formats in August 2017. As captain, he posted a 73.68 winning percentage in ODIs and became the first international captain to defeat Australia in Australia in all three formats. He also whitewashed Australia 5-0 in a 2016 ODI series and led South Africa to back-to-back home and away Test series wins against Australia in 2016 and 2018. Before RCB, du Plessis was a major part of Chennai Super Kings' success, helping them win two IPL titles and a Champions League title. He made his IPL debut in 2011 after being signed by Chennai Super Kings. His international career began with an ODI debut against India in January 2011, scoring an unbeaten 60. He made his Test debut in November 2012, becoming the fourth South African to score a Test century on debut. He retired from Test cricket in February 2021 to focus on T20 World Cups. In November 2025, he announced his IPL retirement after playing his final season with Delhi Capitals, withdrawing from the 2026 auctions to join the Pakistan Super League.

Did You Know?

• Du Plessis was named RCB captain on 12 March 2022 after being bought by the franchise in the 2022 IPL auction.
• He is the first international captain to defeat Australia in Australia in all three formats of the game.
• He whitewashed Australia 5-0 in a five-match ODI series in 2016, the first and only international captain to do so.
• Du Plessis became the fourth South African to score a Test century on debut, in November 2012 against Australia.
• He announced his retirement from the IPL in November 2025 after playing his final season with Delhi Capitals.