Sunil Gavaskar believes Royal Challengers Bangalore appointing Faf du Plessis as the captain for IPL 2022 was the right call as the South African brings a loads of experience.
RCB were in need of a strong leader after Virat Kohli stepped down after the last season of Indian Premier League. Recently, RCB appoint du Plessis as the successor of Kohli and the decision received mixed reactions from the fans. However, former Indian cricketer turned commentator Sunil Gavaskar was impressed with the decision.
Faf du Plessis was associated with Chennai Super Kings ever since the beginning and was a crucial part of their title-winning campaign in the IPL 2021, finishing as the second highest run-getter of the tournament. He was bought by RCB in the 2022 mega auction for INR 7 Cr, most likely as a captaincy option.
Gavaskar believes that the former South African skipper is the correct man to lead the franchise as he has led South Africa in a difficult time and took them to the top.
“Loads of captaincy experience, loads of leadership quality you see in Faf du Plessis. 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,”
Gavaskar said while speaking to Star Sports.
AB de Villiers’ retirement from all forms of cricket created a huge void in the RCB team. Du Plessis is being looked at as someone who can take up his place although the two players play completely different roles with the bat. Gavaskar added that du Plessis will have a big challenge in front of him to fill the big shoes of de Villiers.
“Big shoes to fill, no doubt about that. Faf du Plessis will open the batting. He would want to lead from the front, show the way. These are exciting times for RCB,”
Gavaskar said.
Kohli had led RCB from 2013 to 2021, albeit with no championship success. Du Plessis will have many expectations on him in his debut season as the captain of an IPL side.
