'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former South Africa and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star AB de Villiers has backed Faf du Plessis to remain RCB's captain for the IPL 2025 season. According to De Villiers, Du Plessis' age (40) should not be an issue if he is fit. He also opined that Virat Kohli would back the Proteas cricketer to continue as leader.
Du Plessis was named RCB's new captain after Kohli stepped down from the post after the end of the 2021 season. Under the veteran South African, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have played 42 matches, winning 21 and losing as many. They reached the playoffs in 2022 and in the 2024 edition as well. However, their hunt for the elusive IPL title continues.
With the mega auction coming ahead of the 2025 IPL season, many experts and fans reckon that RCB must move on from Du Plessis and look for a new leader since the South African batter is already 40. De Villiers, however, reckons that age alone should not be the criteria to release the seasoned cricketer. During a Q & A session on his YouTube channel, he said (as quoted by ANI):
“Age is just a number, guys. I don’t see why his turning 40 would be an issue. He has been there for a few seasons, and the players are used to him. I understand there has been pressure on him because he hasn’t won the trophy for RCB, but he has been exceptional as a player. I think Virat will back him with all his experience."
Under Du Plessis, Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a horror first half in IPL 2024. They suffered defeats in seven of their first eight matches. The side, however, made a sensational comeback to win six games on the trot and qualified for the playoffs. Their IPL 2024 campaign ended with a four-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator in Ahmedabad.
Faf du Plessis' record as RCB batter
Having joined the franchise in 2022, Du Plessis has already climbed to No.4 on the list of batters with the most runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In 45 matches, he has scored 1,636 runs at an average of 38.04 and a strike rate of 146.99, with 15 half-centuries and a best of 96.
Not surprisingly, Kohli (8,428) is the all-time leading run-getter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The Indian legend is followed by De Villiers (4,522) and Windies batter Chris Gayle (3,420).
