Faf du Plessis and Super Kings yellow go together like ketchup and fries. The one is just better when the other’s around.
Du Plessis spent seven successful years with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and has since broadened the franchise’s global footprint with the Texas Super Kings in MLC and, of course, is the soul of the Joburg Super Kings here in Betway SA20.
Still looking as fit and fabulous as ever at 41, Du Plessis is looking forward to another jaunt in Season 4.
“I’m very proud of the longevity I’ve had with the franchise and it’s great to see now the brand has grown into different countries as well,” Du Plessis said at ‘SA20 India Day’ in Mumbai.
“Obviously a lot of big fan bases are from India. So I’d say 90% are the same fans that follow Chennai Super Kings. But now you add a new flavour of fans that come from South Africa, that’s also followed the brand over the years, but is now seeing them first-hand play at Wanderers.
“The people in Joburg come out in their numbers every time we play. They love watching the team play and we’re so grateful for their support. I’m really excited for the season.”
Du Plessis has long been admired for his astute leadership – both for his tactical nous and ability to remain calm under pressure. He also has excellent man-management skills with the ability to bring the best out of his players.
The veteran attributes this to having learnt the art of captaincy from some of the finest leaders in the game.
“When I started playing for South Africa, I played a bit under Graeme Smith, then moved into the Chennai environment where Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni were. So I really feel that those first couple of years in terms of my own personal leadership taught me a lot about all the different leadership styles,” he said.
“From MS Dhoni’s perspective, you know, he’s a really calm guy, nothing phases him on the field.
“So, I feel like as a leader myself, you have to then build your own blueprint. So that’s probably the one attribute I would say from MS (DhonI) side that I’ve blended into my own style of leadership is to still always remain pretty calm on the field.
“I also feel like it’s really important you try and do a bit of research on what kind of person a guy is as well, what value does he bring outside of his cricket skill.
“Everyone wants to perform well, but what are they like when they’re not performing well? Are they adding value in the dressing room? Are they helping others? Obviously, skill is one of the things we look at first, but also personality and character.”
Du Plessis prides himself on the fact that he is arguably the fittest member of the JSK squad, but it’s not without hours of hard work and dedication.
A recent injury in the IPL took its toll on Du Plessis, but the veteran was determined to come back even stronger for the upcoming Betway SA20 season.
“I was playing with some discomfort in my groin for quite a while. I had it pretty much the whole IPL where I missed, I think, six games, which was, I think that was the unfortunate thing,” he said,
“I had a nice start to the IPL in terms of my own form and then started getting an injury and then it starts dealing with your body not feeling at its best and then missing (a few games) and then you lose that momentum a little bit and then I didn’t get the momentum back as well as I would have liked.
“So, yeah, I finished the Major League and I was like it’s a good time for me to not go to The Hundred and just spend some time to fix that. I had an operation there and also my other tennis elbow and it’s been three and a half months now and I’m 100% ready to play again.
