RCB‘s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, explained that they chose not to retain Faf du Plessis ahead of the IPL 2025 auction due to his being at the “latter stage” of his career and the need to plan for future leadership.
At 40, Faf du Plessis took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli in 2022, leading the team to two fourth-place finishes in 2022 and 2024. In 2023, despite RCB finishing sixth, he was one of the tournament’s top scorers, amassing 730 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 153.68.
“The decision to not retain Faf is a tricky one because I have nothing but admiration for him as a bloke, as a cricketer, as a leader, and as a captain,” Bobat said in a social media post by RCB, as quoted by The Indian Express.
“Again, I wouldn’t underestimate how big a role he’s played for RCB in the last few years and how much, if he isn’t with us, we’re going to be missing him. So that was a tough decision for us.”
“Obviously, the way that these retention bands and purse are set out, it does make it difficult to get everything you want. Faf, I’m sure, will admit himself, is at the latter part of his career now. And obviously for Andy (Flower, head coach) and I, we have to think really strongly around RCB’s leadership moving forward.”
RCB has retained Kohli for ₹21 crore, Rajat Patidar for ₹11 crore, and left-arm pacer Yash Dayal for ₹5 crore.
“He Drove the Comeback” – Andy Flower on Faf du Plessis
Media reports have suggested several available players for the captaincy role at RCB, with The Times of India stating that Kohli could reclaim the captaincy as well.
If Faf du Plessis doesn’t return, his most significant legacy may be leading the team to seven consecutive wins from a challenging position to reach the playoffs in 2024. Flower also expressed gratitude for his contributions to that success.
“Last year, Faf’s captaincy and leadership – in what was a really tough season, particularly in the first half – was sensational,” Flower said. “He led the revival that took us into the finals (playoffs).”
The 2025 auction is scheduled to occur at the end of November.
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