Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has rated Faf du Plessis’ leadership as 9/10 in the recently concluded Tata IPL 2022.
Faf was leading a franchise for the first time in the IPL and he did a fine job for RCB. The talisman batter already had the experience of captaining South Africa and he was able to make the most of it.
Faf du Plessis brought a sense of calmness to the dressing room for Royal Challengers Bangalore and he was able to get the best out of his players. Faf was roped in for INR 7 crores and he was named as the leader of the team after Virat Kohli had decided to relinquish his duties after IPL 2021.
Faf led RCB to the playoff stages after they won eight out of their 14 matches in the league stage to finish at the third place in the points table. RCB also defeated LSG in the Eliminator after Rajat Patidar played a magnificent knock but they lost to Rajasthan Royals in the second qualifier.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “In my opinion, Faf’s captaincy was good. Faf has been a very very good captain. He has absorbed the pressure because it is a big franchise, there are a lot of expectations. Faf du Plessis – 9/10 for your captaincy.”
The renowned commentator lauded Faf du Plessis for not making a lot of changes in the playing XI. RCB was known to make a lot of changes in their team under the leadership of Virat Kohli.
“He didn’t make too many changes in the team, it is a team that makes a lot of changes, even if someone is getting hit in a match, they have stuck to their guns. In the top order, there was an investment in Anuj Rawat at the start but then it felt right to send Kohli because the runs were not being scored.”
Former KKR player feels Faf du Plessis was able to create a great environment in the team and it helped him in delivering the goods for the team.
“There were some changes happening at No. 3 but all in all, he has got the best out of his players. I think he has created a great environment in the side, where everyone started to feel good about each other.”
Chopra went on add that Faf du Plessis got the best out of his bowling department.
“He has come and said all the right things as well and the bowling changes, that is his job only. He has done very well. In my opinion, he has controlled the game extremely well, when to bring Maxi (Maxwell) or Wanindu (Hasaranga), when to keep Harshal (Patel) back and when to bowl Josh (Hazlewood).”
