Faf's still got it! Ex-Proteas skipper's class shines through in IPL: Should he make SA return?

Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis has made the brightest of starts in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), a reminder of his class, pedigree and ability to perform at the highest level. 

Du Plessis, the current skipper of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, will turn 39 in July, but he is clearly still operating at the top of his game. 

In three innings so far in the IPL, Du Plessis has been in sublime form, carding scores of 73 (43), 23 (12) and, most recently, 79* (46). That is enough to make him the third-highest run-scorer in the competition. 

His innings in Bengaluru on Monday was exceptional. Du Plessis initially played a supporting act to the destructive Virat Kohli (61 off 44), but he was able to shift gears when the game needed him to. 

That ability to read the situation and adapt accordingly has always been a hallmark of Du Plessis' game in T20 cricket, and that is clearly still the case. 

By the time he was done, Du Plessis had hit five fours and five sixes, and RCB had compiled a hugely competitive 212/2 which most would have thought was enough. It wasn't.

Remarkably, Lucknow Super Giants got over the line, winning by one wicket, thanks to a blistering 62 (19) from Nicholas Pooran and 65 (30) from Marcus Stoinis. 

The result leaves RCB with just one win from three outings in their efforts to win a first-ever IPL title, and while making the playoffs will be Du Plessis' ultimate priority as the leader of one of world's most supported cricket franchises, he will surely be pleased with his batting form. 

So close, yet so far. ??‍?? Pooran and Stoinis were outstanding and they caught us off guard! We will stay resilient and look to bounce back on the 15th! ??#PlayBold #????RCB #IPL2023 #RCBvLSG