"Have to think really strongly around RCB's leadership" - Director explains RCB's decision to not retain Faf du Plessis ahead of IPL 2025 auction
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) director of cricket Mo Bobat cited Faf du Plessis being at the "latter stage" of his career and the franchise's need to consider its future leadership as reasons why they didn't retain the South African ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.
Faf du Plessis, 40, took over RCB's leadership from Virat Kohli in 2022 and led them to fourth-placed finishes in that year and 2024. In 2023, when RCB finished sixth, he was one of the highest run-scorers in the competition with 730 runs from 14 matches at a strike rate of 153.68.
“The decision to not retain Faf is a tricky one because I have nothing but admiration for him as a bloke, as a cricketer, as a leader, and as a captain," Bobat said in a social media post by RCB. "Again, I wouldn’t underestimate how big a role he’s played for RCB in the last few years and how much, if he isn’t with us, we’re going to be missing him. So that was a tough decision for us." (1:30)
"Obviously, the way that these retention bands and purse are set out, it does make it difficult to get everything you want. Faf, I’m sure, will admit himself, is at the latter part of his career now. And obviously for Andy (Flower, head coach) and I, we have to think really strongly around RCB’s leadership moving forward," he added.
RCB have retained Kohli for a whopping ₹21 crore, followed by Rajat Patidar at ₹11 crore and left-arm pacer Yash Dayal at ₹5 crore.
"He led the revival" - Andy Flower on Faf du Plessis
Media reports have linked various available players to RCB for the captaincy role. The Times of India has claimed that Kohli can take back the captaincy, too.
If Faf du Plessis doesn't return to the team, his biggest legacy would perhaps be helping the team win seven matches on the trot from a precarious position to reach the playoffs in 2024. Flower also thanked his contributions for that.
"Last year, Faf's captaincy and leadership - in what was a really tough season, particularly in the first half - was sensational," Flower said (via The Indian Express). "He led the revival that took us into the finals (playoffs)."
The 2025 auction is slated to take place sometime at the end of November.