Former South African captain and one of the most respected foreign players in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Faf du PlessisHas announced that he will not enter the upcoming IPL 2026 mini-auction. The 41-year-old revealed on social media on November 29, ending a memorable 14-year stint with the competition. Instead, Du Plessis has opted to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026.
“After 14 seasons in the IPL, I have decided not to put my name in the auction this year. It's a big decision, and one I feel very grateful for when I look back. This league has been a huge part of my journey. I've been fortunate to play with world-class teammates, for amazing franchises, and in front of fans whose passion is unmatched by anything else. Fourteen years is a long time, and I'm proud of the way this chapter has ended for me.” What matters is India has a special place in my heart, and this is definitely not goodbye – you will 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 debut season, he scored 398 runs, and over the years, he has become a vital part of CSK's core, winning IPL titles with the franchise in 2018 and 2021. His best performances came between 2020 and 2024, which included exceptional campaigns with both CSK and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Notably, in the 2021 season, he missed out on the Orange Cap by a narrow margin, 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 the 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 Delhi Capitals and managed to score just 202 runs at an average of 22.44. In 14 IPL seasons, South Africa has played 154 matches, scoring 4,773 runs at an average of 35.09 and a strike rate of 135.78. He also recorded 39 half-centuries.
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