Former South Africa captain and long-time IPL veteran Faf du Plessis has announced that he will not be entering his name in the upcoming IPL auction. In a statement, he revealed that he will instead be taking part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Du Plessis, a mainstay for Chennai Super Kings and a former Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain, confirmed the decision on Sunday, 29 November — just two weeks before the IPL auction, scheduled for 15 December in Abu Dhabi.
The move marks a significant shift for one of the most respected overseas performers in IPL history. Du Plessis first joined Chennai Super Kings in 2013 and quickly became an integral part of the franchise’s core, admired for his consistency, fielding brilliance and ability to perform in pressure situations. He spent seven seasons with CSK and also reunited with MS Dhoni during the Rising Pune Supergiant years in 2016 and 2017 when CSK were suspended.
His standout IPL performance came during CSK’s title-winning run in 2021, where he scored 633 runs in the season, finishing just behind teammate Ruturaj Gaikwad in the Orange Cap race. Despite his heroics, CSK made the surprising decision to release him ahead of the 2022 mega auction. Royal Challengers Bengaluru pounced at the opportunity, securing him for a hefty sum and naming him captain for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Du Plessis flourished in the leadership role, producing some of his best T20 cricket. His 2023 season, in which he amassed 730 runs in 14 matches, remains one of the finest campaigns by an RCB captain. He later joined Delhi Capitals for the 2025 season, scoring 202 runs in nine matches before an injury cut short his tournament.
