Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has referred to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s decision to appoint Faf du Plessis as captain for Indian Premier League 2022 a terrific call, saying that his leadership experience of him will come in handy for the team as well. However, RCB on Saturday named Faf du Plessis as the new leader for IPL 2022. The South African star, who used to be with Chennai Super Kings, was bought by the RCB for Rs 7 crore at the IPL 2022 mega auction.

Speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar said, “Loads of captaincy experience, loads of leadership quality you see in Faf du Plessis. I am not surprised at all. Remember, he took South African cricket ahead. There was a time in South African cricket when there was a bit of turmoil. He managed to get the team together and get South Africa right up to the top. Clearly, a terrific decision by RCB to hand over the captaincy to Faf du Plessis.”

Sunil Gavaskar further added that Faf du Plessis will try to show the way forward for RCB by continuing to open the batting in the IPL as well. Du Plessis has scored 2935 runs in 100 matches in the league. He was in superb form for CSK during their victorious run in the IPL 2021 campaign, scoring 633 runs in 16 matches as well. However, RCB will open their campaign against Punjab Kings on March 27 as well.

“Big shoes to fill (AB de Villiers’ absence), no doubt about that. Faf du Plessis will open the batting. He would want to lead from the front, show the way. These are exciting times for RCB. Don’t for a moment think just because Kohli is not captain, his performance is going to go down. We have seen him even now in Tests, how he is all the time with Rohit Sharma, trying to help him out. His involvement is total, he wants his team to win, whether he is captain or not. So that is what he will do with RCB,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.