The veteran Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Faf du Plessis has been going through a phenomenal form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 and it has left former Indian opener, Gautam Gambhir surprised. The former India opener said that he never rated South African as a dangerous T20 batsman.

During a recent chat on ESPNCricinfo, Gautam Gambhir said, “Honestly, if you ask me, yes, he has exceeded expectations. I never thought he was that dangerous a T20 batter. Yes, he had got runs for CSK, but he’s never had the impact someone like Shane Watson had. He will score those 50 off 40 balls but he cannot hurt the opposition bowlers.”

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He further added, “He’s not going to be an all-out match-winner. If Shane Watson gets runs, he’ll get a 100 off 60 balls. So yeah, Faf has definitely exceeded all the expectations, not only of myself but of a lot of other people as well.”

Faf du Plessis has amassed as many as 546 runs in the IPL 2021 in 14 matches at an average of 45.50 and with a healthy strike rate of 137.53. Gambhir also said that Faf’s good form in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has helped him to do well in the IPL 2021.

Elaborating the same, Gautam Gambhir said, “He was in good form even in the CPL. Those who are coming into the play after playing in some league have better chances to do well as IPL is a high-quality tournament. Runs under your belt is always important. There is no alternative to experience. With experience, Faf knows, when you are in good form, you have to make the most of it. Once you lose it becomes very difficult to find. Look what is happening to Eoin Morgan.”

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MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns with Rishabh Pant’s Delhi Capitals (DC) in the first qualifier in Dubai on Sunday.