Francois du Plessis, better known as Faf du Plessis, is a prominent cricket player from South Africa. Often regarded as a classy and composed batsman, du Plessis has established himself as one of the most consistent performers in South African cricket, particularly in the post-Jacques Kallis era.
Du Plessis is known for his excellent technique on the front foot, strong defensive skills, and ability to spend long periods of time at the crease. Besides his skills with the bat, he is also a natural leader, having been appointed as captain of the South African T20 side in February 2013, and playing an integral role in the senior core of the team across all formats.
Du Plessis had an unconventional start to his cricket career. In 2007, he signed a Kolpak deal with Lancashire in England, seeking opportunities where he could further develop his skills outside of South Africa. During this time, he honed his fielding abilities and gained valuable experience in the county system. However, he always returned to South Africa during the domestic cricket season, where he consistently impressed, topping the MTN40 run charts in the 2010-11 season.
His performances caught the attention of the national selectors, and he made his debut for the South African one-day squad in January 2011 against India. A half-century on debut secured his spot for the subsequent World Cup. At this stage in his career, he was known for his aggressive batting and rapid run-scoring.
Du Plessis got his opportunity in Test cricket during South Africa’s tour to Australia in 2012. In the second Test in Adelaide, he showcased his incredible resilience and determination, spending more than seven-and-a-half hours at the crease and facing 376 balls. His unbeaten knock of 110 helped South Africa salvage an unlikely draw, setting them up for a series win in Perth.
In December 2012, du Plessis was appointed as the T20 captain, despite having played only four T20Is at that point. This was followed by his promotion to No.3 in the Test side after Jacques Kallis’ retirement. Du Plessis continued to prove his mettle as a batsman, with notable performances such as his 134 against India in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test in December 2013. This innings took South Africa within eight runs of completing the highest successful Test chase ever, securing a draw in the end.
Du Plessis faced some challenges in the limited-overs format, with criticism over his occasionally slow-scoring rates. However, he silenced his critics by scoring his first ODI century against Australia in August 2014, followed by two more centuries in the same series. He also became the second South African to score a T20I century after Richard Levi in February 2015.
Despite leading South Africa in two World T20 campaigns in 2014 and 2016 without winning the title, du Plessis expressed his desire to continue captaining the team. While he faced some struggles in Test cricket, resulting in his omission from the final Test against England in January 2016, he remained determined to bounce back and prove his worth.
Throughout his career, du Plessis has consistently exhibited his leadership qualities, technical prowess, and dedication to the game. He continues to be an integral part of the South African cricket team, inspiring both his teammates and fans with his performances on the field.
