Faf du Plessis Announces Retirement from IPL 2026
Faf du Plessis Bids Farewell to IPL
Faf du Plessis has officially declared his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, opting not to enter the auction. The former captain of South Africa made this announcement prior to the auction, confirming he would not register his name.
In his statement, du Plessis expressed, "After 14 seasons in the IPL, I’ve made the decision not to include my name in this year’s auction. It’s a significant choice, filled with gratitude as I reflect on my journey."
New Challenges Await
Rather than continuing in the IPL, du Plessis has chosen to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), aiming to embrace new challenges and experiences. He is eager to explore a different environment to enhance his skills. Unfortunately, his plans were hindered due to a ligament injury in his right thumb sustained during the SA20 2025, which has sidelined him for the remainder of that season and the PSL 2026.
Challenges in His Last IPL Season
During the IPL 2025 season, du Plessis played for the Delhi Capitals but faced a tough time. He accumulated 202 runs over nine innings, averaging 22.44 with a strike rate of 123.92. Following this season, he was released by Delhi ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
Career Highlights in IPL
Du Plessis had a remarkable IPL career from 2012 to 2025, representing teams such as Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals. Over 154 matches, he scored 4,773 runs, maintaining an average of 35.09 and a strike rate of 135.78. His achievements include 39 half-centuries, with a personal best of 96 runs.
His most notable seasons were in 2021 with Chennai Super Kings, where he scored 633 runs, and in 2023 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he amassed 730 runs. He surpassed 300 runs in nine different seasons and secured two IPL titles with CSK in 2018 and 2021. Du Plessis ranks as the fourth-highest overseas run-scorer in IPL history.
Continuing His Cricket Journey
Although he has stepped away from the IPL, du Plessis remains active in other franchise leagues, currently playing for Joburg Super Kings in SA20 and Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket.