Faf Du Plessis. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis expressed his delight at his team’s remarkable turnaround in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). RCB’s victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday was crucial to securing the final playoff spot.
Reflecting on the season, Du Plessis noted how proud he was of everyone for making the impossible happen, describing the night as special and the group as unique. RCB’s season initially seemed bleak after winning just one out of their first eight matches. However, the team showed resilience, winning six consecutive games to finish the league stage with 14 points.
Here’s what Faf du Plessis posted on Instagram:
‘What a night..’ – Faf du Plessis after qualifying for playoffs
Their superior net run rate edged out CSK, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants, who also had 14 points. RCB finished fourth, setting up an Eliminator clash against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 22. The winner will face the loser of Qualifier 1 on May 24 in Chennai, with a chance to reach the final on May 26.
Du Plessis has been a key player for RCB, scoring 421 runs at an average of 30.07 and a strike rate over 163, including four half-centuries. Reflecting on the season’s last game, he said,
“What a night. Unbelievable and such a great atmosphere, such a pleasure to finish off the season at home with a win. Batting first, I think it was the hardest pitch I have ever played on in T20s.”
He praised the team’s performance, particularly Yash Dayal’s bowling in the final over. “The way we bowled with the wet ball was unbelievable,” Du Plessis noted. He dedicated his Man of the Match award to Dayal, saying, “I dedicate this Man of the Match to Yash Dayal. The way he bowled was unbelievable. For a man who’s fairly new, he deserves it.”
The RCB skipper highlighted the unwavering support of their fans, even during tough times and said that It’s crazy, that even when they weren’t winning, the fans were there.
“It’s crazy, even when we weren’t winning the fans were here. We in the changeroom we felt it was something we had to get right. Coming here tonight, it was set up nicely, CSK v RCB, unbelievable atmosphere and we as a team will do a lap of honour to thank the crowd for the support. It’s really important that we enjoy this, great 6 games in a row and the first goal in the IPL is to get into the knockouts and we have done that, enjoy this but get back to work tomorrow,” he added.