The release of Faf du Plessis by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ahead of the 2025 IPL auction has created a huge buzz as his move to Delhi Capitals for a small INR 2 crore came as a shock to many fans. It was quite unexpected, especially keeping in mind Faf’s influential position of being a leader and his good form in the last few seasons.
Since joining RCB in 2022, Du Plessis played a critical role at the top of the order and even led the team through arduous phases. Under his captaincy, RCB made significant strides, often climbing back in the game from problematic positions to reach the playoffs. The economical run-scorer scored more than 1,600 runs across three seasons with an impressive strike rate of 147, proving his value as both a captain and a top-order batsman.
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However, in this context, the management has to take some quite tough decisions. Of course, retaining Faf would have ensured continuity, but Faf is now 40 years old, and recent injury concerns have made long-term viability a question. At this stage, RCB seems to look for younger leadership options and build a more sustainable team in the coming years. With limited resources and no Right to Match (RTM) card to re-sign him, RCB might have assumed the best option was fresh talent combined with more flexibility within their auction purse.
Delhi Capitals saw an opportunity to acquire a package of Faf’s vast experience at a bargain price. They anticipate that his mentorship and skillset will strengthen the side, particularly at the top-order bat, while providing strategic depth. Faf’s presence in Delhi Capitals could prove to be a bit of a bridge, bringing experience and guiding a relatively young side in key moments.