Faf du Plessis started his career at the Royal Challengers Bangalore in a stunning fashion, smashing a terrific fifty against Punjab Kings on Sunday evening at the DY Patil Stadium for RCB’s first game of IPL 2022.
Faf scored 88 runs off 57 balls, an innings laced with 3 fours and 7 cleanly hit sixes, to help RCB to a gigantic total of 205.
However, the start was really scratchy for the South African as he struggled to middle the ball properly. It was young opener Anuj Rawat who launched the early attack with Faf struggling at one end. Faf also got a reprieve when he was on 7 by Shahrukh Khan. And he made the most out of this life given to him.
At the end of 7 overs, RCB were 50/1 with Faf digging a hole for himself at one end, and Virat Kohli new to the crease at the other. The pair was kept tied down by spinner Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar. The score dawdled to 78/1 after 11 overs before Faf broke his shackles and launched Livingstone down the ground for a six.
Next – carnage. Odean Smith was just what the duo needed to get the momentum on their side. Kohli and Faf clubbed two fours and two sixes to the West Indian followed by three sixes to Brar.
Faf du Plessis continued his assault next on Arshdeep, thumping the pacer for a couple of biggies before he finally holed down in the deep off the same seamer – the catcher Shahrukh Khan. That brought an end to a stunning stand between Kohli and du Plessis of 118 runs from 61 balls, and a fantastic innings from the Protea batter. Dinesh Karthik‘s late havoc of 32 runs off 14 balls propelled RCB over 200.
RCB fans erupted on Twitter as they applauded Faf’s dazzling debut for the franchise. Among many, former India opener Wasim Jaffer came up with a special tweet that summed up Faf’s knock. Jaffer pointed out that Du Plessis didn’t let RCB feel the gap left by AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell today; de Villiers has retired from all cricket while Maxwell isn’t available to play until April 5th.
“Faf ensured @RCBTweets don’t miss AB & Maxi. And that says everything about this innings. What a knock,” Wasim Jaffer tweeted.
Faf ensured @RCBTweets don’t miss AB & Maxi. And that says everything about this innings. What a knock ?? #PBKSvRCB #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/Sm5rBpDjcI
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 27, 2022
