Faf du Plessis Shares Untold Story of His Departure from RCB

Faf du Plessis Reflects on His RCB Exit

Faf du Plessis has opened up about his departure from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), sharing insights that had previously remained undisclosed as the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaches. During his time with RCB from 2022 to 2024, he served as captain, leading the team to the playoffs twice and finishing fifth in 2023. Surprisingly, he was released before RCB's championship-winning season in 2025, with Rajat Patidar taking over as captain.

In the 2025 mega auction, Faf was acquired by Delhi Capitals (DC) for his base price of Rs. 2 crores, which raised eyebrows since RCB did not place a bid for him. However, he revealed that he received a heartfelt farewell from the organization. The 41-year-old recounted a surprise dinner arranged by RCB, attended by management and players, including Virat Kohli and the new captain Rajat Patidar. He expressed gratitude for the culture at RCB, which he believes contributed to their IPL success.

“I remember having a surprise dinner organized by RCB, where management and some players expressed their gratitude. The heartfelt words shared that night still resonate with me,” Faf shared during an interview with Star Sports. He emphasized the importance of caring for people, stating, “When you care for people, good things happen.”

Faf also noted a memorable moment during the IPL final when RCB honored hall of fame inductees AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, inviting them to join the team on the podium as they celebrated their victory. He mentioned that he was also invited to the celebration, saying, “I was tempted to join them.” After being released by DC ahead of the 2026 season, Faf chose not to participate in the auction and is now working with the official broadcaster for the tournament.