The former South Africa captain and one of the most respected overseas players in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Faf du Plessis, has announced that he will not be entering the upcoming IPL 2026 mini-auction.
The 41-year-old made the revelation on social media on November 29, ending a memorable 14-year stint with the competition. Instead, du Plessis has chosen to take part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026.
"After 14 seasons in the IPL, I've decided not to put my name into the auction this year. It's a big decision, and one that comes with a lot of gratitude when I look back. This league has been a massive part of my journey. I've been lucky to play with world-class teammates, for amazing franchises, and in front of fans whose passion is like nothing else. Fourteen years is a long time, and I'm proud of what this chapter has meant to me. India has a special place in my heart, and this certainly isn't a goodbye - you'll see me again," du Plessis wrote in a social media post.
Du Plessis first made his IPL debut in 2012, representing Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In his maiden season, he scored 398 runs, and over the years, he became a crucial part of CSK’s core, winning the IPL titles with the franchise in 2018 and 2021. His best performances came between 2020 and 2024, with the standout campaigns with both CSK and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Notably, in the 2021 season, he narrowly missed out on the Orange Cap, finishing just two runs behind opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad.
After CSK released him ahead of the 2022 mega auction, RCB secured his services and handed him captaincy for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons. He excelled in this leadership role. In the 2023 season, du Plessis scored 730 runs in 14 matches. Ahead of the 2025 season, he joined the Delhi Capitals and managed to score just 202 runs at an average of 22.44. Across 14 IPL seasons, South Africa has played 154 matches, scoring 4,773 runs at an average of 35.09, with a strike rate of 135.78. He also recorded 39 half-centuries.
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