Articles about Faf du Plessis

There are not many players like South Africa's Faf Du Plessis in international cricket. He is a player who can build an innings even in the most nerve-wracking situation with his calm and composed nature but at the same time hit the ball over the boundary with brute power and immaculate timing. Du Plessis would have been one of the biggest "what ifs" if the Kolpak deal he signed in 2007 hadn't expired in 2010. Following the expiry of the deal, he became eligible for national team selection. He made his international debut in an ODI against India in 2011. A player with an unbreakable defense and an appetite for long innings, Du Plessis soon made his mettle known in Test cricket as well. His numbers in the world's toughest backyard, Australia, speak for themselves. He was named captain for South Africa's 2016-17 Australia tour, during which he became only the second player after Dilshan to score a century in all three formats of the game as a skipper. Du Plessis became the permanent captain of South Africa in all three formats of the game in 2017 after AB De Villiers stepped down. In 2021, he retired from Test cricket.