The Chennai Super Kings-owned Johannesburg franchise on Sunday lauded former South African captain Faf du Plessis and mentioned that the previous CSK star will play a pivotal function as one in every of its marquee gamers within the inaugural version of the CSA T20 league.
Du Plessis, who was additionally a part of CSK within the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2011 to 2021, aside from 2016 and 2017, when the crew was suspended, was lately roped in by the Johannesburg franchise. Du Plessis, nevertheless, performed for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) within the final version of the IPL.
“Faf (Du Plessis) has been a backbone of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL for the last 10 years. He has been one of the most consistent players for our team. We were not fortunate to pick him during the last auction in the IPL. We were looking for an opportunity and that came up in the CSA T20 League,” mentioned CSK CEO KS Viswanathan in a press launch.
“We are happy that we got Faf back with the Super Kings family. It will be a very good opportunity for Faf to come back and do as well as he did for the Chennai Super Kings. His experience as South African player and captain, knowing the conditions, will be invaluable. I’m sure that with his entry into the team, we should have a good future,” he added.
Apart from Du Plessis, the franchise additionally roped in England all-rounder Moeen Ali, Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana, West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd, and South African quick bowler Gerald Coetzee. “As per the rules of CSA, we are eligible to take four players from the contracted list of players who are available… one marquee player from South Africa. From the balance three, not more than two can be from one country,” Viswanathan mentioned.
“We have decided to pick Faf, Moeen, Maheesh and Romario as the four players who have been contracted by Cricket South Africa. We are also allowed to take one development player from South Africa. We have decided on Gerald, as recommended by Faf,” he added.
The franchise additionally praised Ali and mentioned that the latter’s expertise in white-ball cricket will come helpful for the aspect through the match. “Everybody is aware of his potential as an all-rounder and his skills in white-ball cricket. We are very happy to have retained Moeen,” Viswanathan mentioned.
The franchise additionally backed the signing of 22-year-old Theekshana and mentioned that the Sri Lankan’s latest performances in restricted overs cricket was the rationale behind his inclusion into the crew. “In South African conditions, a spinner of his calibre will be of great advantage and I’m sure that he will be able to do well there,” Viswanathan mentioned.
“I’m sure that with the auction coming up in mid-September, we should be able to pick a good side,” he added.
The inaugural version of the CSA T20 League is scheduled to be performed in January-February 2023 and all of the six franchises within the match have been acquired by present IPL crew house owners.
Apart from CSK proudly owning the Johannesburg-based franchise, MI Cape Town is the sister franchise of Mumbai Indians and the groups from Durban, Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth), Paarl and Pretoria are owned by Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals respectively.
