Faf du Plessis has got his IPL 2021 campaign off to a blazing start, scoring 270 runs in his first six games at an average of 67.50 and strike rate of 140.62. The Chennai Super Kings opener, after being dismissed for a duck in his first game of the season, bounced back spectacularly with two useful 30s, followed by three consecutive fifties, including an unbeaten 95 off 60 balls. 

Renowned cricket analyst, Harsha Bhogle, attributes Du Plessis’ performances to him relinquishing the captaincy of the South African cricket team. “I just wonder if Faf getting out of the mess that South African cricket is in, being captain of South Africa through all that pressure, I think he’s suddenly saying, ‘freedom’.”

Bhogle continued, “At the moment, being captain of South Africa is to be in four simultaneous tug-of-wars, with everyone pulling you apart. So it’s a really tough place to be. I just wonder if he’s freer in his mind,” said Bhogle.

Former New Zealand cricketer-turned-commentator, Simon Doull, concurs with Bhogle, “(Faf) is freed from the burden of having to deal with the political nature of South African cricket and it’s a shame that that decision is made by quite a few in the last little while in South Africa. In some way, shape or form, that was possibly hanging over his head.”

Another cricket analyst, Joy Bhattacharya, who was previously the Team Director of the Kolkata Knight Riders, said about Du Plessis, “Faf is a terrific cricketer. He gives them a little more than just cricket. He gives them what Stephen Fleming and Dhoni love, which is – spine. He’ll come there every day giving his 100 per cent effort to everything to win. He’s fantastic with the younger kids. We’ve watched Faf for a very long time and he’s just an inspiration.” 

Du Plessis’ form has helped his opening partner, Ruturaj Gaikwad, find rhythm in the tournament after low scores in the first couple of games. Bhogle said, “He’s (Faf) such a versatile player, they take the pressure of each other, the way they’re going.” 

Meanwhile, Du Plessis said his priority is to be consistent for the Chennai Super Kings. “With me and Rutu, it’s really important we lay the foundation and we keep doing that. Set it up for the big boys to come and smoke it at the end.”

Du Plessis and Gaikwad communicate frequently while batting. Typically, these conversations revolve around the behaviour of the pitch, bowlers that can be targeted, and good scoring options. “We complement each other really well. He’ll take on one guy, I’ll take on a different guy,” said du Plessis.  

“For me it’s just about reminding him of things which I’ve obviously experienced playing the game a little bit longer. It will be small things like we’ve had a good start, to make sure that in the last few balls of the fifth or sixth over, we don’t lose a wicket. So we start, after the powerplay, with ten wickets in hand and two guys playing positively,” du Plessis explained.  

Faf du Plessis’ runs at the top of the order have, undoubtedly, contributed to Chennai Super Kings sitting at the top of the table with ten points. On current form, the team looks set to qualify for the playoffs, and potentially win its fourth title. If they do, Faf du Plessis’ contributions will be among the main reasons for it.