Faf du Plessis on Monday stepped down as captain of South Africa across all three formats but will continue to contribute the side as a batsman and a senior player. The 35-year-old took the hard decision in order to allow a new generation of leaders to develop in the side.
Du Plessis was given a rest for the recent One-Day International and Twenty20 series against England, where wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock led the national team.
The Pretoria-born released his statement on social media platform Instagram. He also shared the link on Twitter.
It has been the greatest honour of my life to lead my country. Read my full statement here: https://t.co/QVRrvQGLmO pic.twitter.com/d5qH9pQJ9d
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) February 17, 2020
“The last few weeks of rest away from the game have given me a lot of perspective on the great privilege and honour I have had in representing and leading my country in the three formats of this wonderful game,” a statement released by Du Plessis read.
“This was one of the toughest decisions to make, but I remain fully committed to supporting Quinton [De Kock, current captain], Mark (Boucher, the head coach) and my team-mates as we continue to rebuild and re-align as a group,” read his statement.
As soon as Du Plessis issued his statement, his team-mates and other cricketers reacted to the big news and wished the former captain for a great future.
Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum and currently the all-rounder James Neesham wrote congratulatory messages on Instagram.
Apart from the Kiwis, Du Plessis’ compatriots like Wayne Parnell and Tabraiz Shamsi also reacted to the huge moment in their team-mates’ life.
“Congrats on your tenure as captain, you’ve been a true leader and one I’ve always looked up to, you’re like a duck on the field, always looking calm even when sh*t is going pear shaped. You have definitely been an example for all that has played alongside you. @faf1307” tweeted Parnell.
Congrats on your tenure as captain, you’ve been a true leader and one I’ve always looked up to, you’re like a duck on the field, always looking calm even when sh*t is going pear shaped. You have definitely been an example for all that has played alongside you. @faf1307
— Wayne Parnell (@WayneParnell) February 17, 2020
“Thanks for all the lessons, advice and great times together @faf1307 You have been such an inspiration!! #CaptainFantasic” tweeted Shamsi.
The official twitter handle of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise – also reacted to their key player’s big decision.
“Champions carry on and Fafulously so. #WhistlePodu” tweeted CSK’s official handle.
Champions carry on and Fafulously so. #WhistlePodu 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/iXKIv8hC3X
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 17, 2020
Du Plessis was given South Africa’s T20I captaincy role in February 2013. A few years down the line, he took over the Test captaincy from AB de Villiers in 2016. While, in September 2017, he was named the ODI captain. Under his leadership, the Proteas made the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2014.
Overall, Du Plessis led South Africa in 36 Tests, 39 ODIs and 40 T20Is, of which they won 18, 28 and 25 respectively.
