Faf du Plessis Praises Gautam Gambhir's Leadership in IPL

Faf du Plessis reflects on Gautam Gambhir's intense leadership style, describing him as a 'villain' to opponents yet earning their respect. Gambhir's journey from KKR captain to Indian national team coach is highlighted, showcasing his significant achievements, including multiple championships. As IPL 2026 approaches, excitement builds with KKR set to face Mumbai Indians. Discover more about Gambhir's impact on cricket and his leadership philosophy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 26, 2026, 16:56 IST

Faf du Plessis Reflects on Gautam Gambhir's Leadership Style

Faf du Plessis, the former captain of South Africa, shared his thoughts on Gautam Gambhir's leadership qualities, having faced him numerous times in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Du Plessis described Gambhir as a 'villain' to his opponents due to his fierce competitiveness, which, paradoxically, earns him significant respect. He emphasized that Gambhir does not seek popularity; rather, he prioritizes high standards, discipline, and accountability as a leader. Du Plessis concluded that these attributes contributed to the strength of Gambhir's team, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who have won the IPL three times. 'My view of Gambhir is quite distinct from that of his teammates. To those playing against him, he often plays the role of the villain, but that’s something you respect. His competitiveness is unmatched, and he doesn’t care about being liked. His focus is on maintaining high standards and ensuring accountability in the dressing room. As a fellow leader, you want to defeat him because of his demeanor, yet you respect his commitment to excellence. Good leaders set high benchmarks, and Gambhir has done that since his debut. His leadership made KKR a formidable team,' Faf du Plessis remarked on JioStar.

From KKR Captain to National Coach

Gautam Gambhir has been a pivotal figure for the Kolkata Knight Riders, transforming the franchise with his captaincy that led to IPL victories in 2012 and 2014. He later returned as a mentor, guiding the team to a third championship in 2024. Following this success, Gambhir transitioned to become the Head Coach of the Indian national team. His coaching tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including leading India to victory in the Champions Trophy 2025, the T20 Asia Cup last year, and the T20 World Cup earlier this month. Under his guidance, India became one of the most formidable T20I teams, securing their second T20 World Cup title and making history as the first team to defend the trophy successfully while winning it on home soil.

Anticipating IPL 2026

The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to commence on March 28, with the reigning champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), facing off against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Meanwhile, KKR will kick off their campaign against the five-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians, at the renowned Wankhede Stadium on March 29.