Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has opined that people have spoken about the impact of Faf du Plessis on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) but the South Africa star has instilled some calm in the team in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. During a recent chat on Star Sports, Ravi Shastri lauded Faf du Plessis’s leadership when things got tense during the Eliminator between RCB and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Wednesday, May 25.
RCB successfully defended a 207-run total against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator. RCB broke the Eliminator jinx, ending a 2-year run wherein they were knocked out in eliminator in the last couple of seasons.
During the chat on Star Sports, Ravi Shastri said, “They kept their nerves towards their end I thought Faf’s calmness was brilliant. You might not talk about it as a captain. But in situations like this when it can get tight. I thought he was very good with the way he marshalled his troops, with his field placing. Just his influence on the game to back the calmness was good to see.”
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Faf du Plessis kept a couple of overs of Harshal Patel till the last three overs and the move worked as the India pacer choked the LSG batters at the death. The RCB skipper, who took over after Virat Kohli stepped down from the role after the IPL 2021, heaped praise on Harshal, saying he is the one who goes to when the team is under pressure with the ball.
After the match, Faf di Plessis said, “Harshal is the joker in the pack. A special card I can pick. He bowls the important overs. Second last one over from him changed the game for us.”
Faf du Plessis has led the RCB batting unit from the front, scoring 443 runs in 15 matches including 3 fifties. The former South Africa captain has been a solid presence in the dressing room. Former skipper, Virat Kohli also said he respects the authority that Faf du Plessis has in the role.
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During a chat with Danish Saith, Virat had said, “Faf (du Plessis) and I have always gotten along really well even when he was captain of South Africa. Faf is a guy who is sure of himself and he has full authority on the field. He tells me sometimes, if I mention things, that he doesn’t want to do that, which I respect a lot. That only makes you gain respect for the person you are playing under.”
RCB will face Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, May 27.
