IPL auction: Faf du Plessis goes to RCB
Veteran T20 specialist Faf du Plessis saw teams get into a bidding war for him in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 Auction on Saturday. Royal Challengers Bangalore have picked him for Rs. 7 crore. Faf had a terrific IPL 2021 campaign, helping Chennai Super Kings win the title. Notably, CSK and RCB had an intense bidding war today for Faf.
A look at Faf's IPL numbers
In 100 IPL matches, Faf has racked up 2,935 runs at an average of 34.94. Faf has hit 22 half-centuries with the best of 96. Faf has a strike rate of 131.08. He has slammed 265 fours and 96 sixes. Faf's best two seasons in the IPL came in 2020 and 2021 respectively. He amassed 449 and 633 runs respectively.
RCB had earlier retained these players
Three-time IPL finalists RCB had retained three players - one overseas and two Indians - during the players' retention. The Bangalore based outfit acquired the services of their former skipper Virat Kohli for the 2022 season for Rs. 15 crore. They spent Rs. 11 crore on Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and are paying Rs. 7 crore to Indian seamer Mohammed Siraj.
Faf is CSK's third-highest scorer
Faf represented CSK in 92 matches, scoring a total of 2,721 runs at 35.33. He hit 22 half-centuries at a strike rate of 131.44. He is the third-highest scorer for CSK after Suresh Raina (4,687) and MS Dhoni (4,172).
Faf can provide the desired impetus
Faf has played across just seven seasons in the IPL (2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021). In between he represented the now defunct Rising Pune Supergiant when CSK were suspended. Faf has enjoyed good form in the IPL of late and provides enough impetus.
