Faf du Plessis, the veteran South African batter, has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming IPL 2026 auction, opting instead to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The announcement, made on Saturday, November 29, 2025, marks the end of a significant chapter in du Plessis's career, spanning 14 seasons in the Indian Premier League.
Du Plessis, 41, confirmed his decision through a social media post, expressing gratitude for his time in the IPL. He stated that the league has been a massive part of his journey and that he was fortunate to play with world-class teammates, for amazing franchises, and in front of passionate fans. He also emphasized that this was not a goodbye to India, but rather a transition, hinting at a future return to the IPL.
In his statement, du Plessis explained that he wants to embrace a new league filled with incredible talent and energy, and is looking forward to the Pakistan hospitality. He further stated that he had given the decision a lot of thought, and felt that committing to a single league over the next few months was the most practical option, considering his schedule and where he is in his career. Du Plessis also hinted that his decision was part of a broader effort to extend his playing career responsibly.
Du Plessis made his IPL debut in 2012 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He was a key member of the team, recognized for his reliability, exceptional fielding, and ability to perform under pressure. His long tenure with CSK included title wins in 2018 and 2021. CSK released him ahead of the 2022 mega auction, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to acquire him and appoint him as captain from 2022 to 2024. He thrived in the leadership role, with his 730-run season in 2023 being one of the most impressive campaigns by an RCB captain. However, du Plessis had a quiet IPL 2025 season with Delhi Capitals, scoring 202 runs in nine matches. The franchise's decision not to retain him did not come as a surprise.
Du Plessis exits the IPL as one of its most prolific overseas batters, ranking fourth on the all-time list. In his IPL career, du Plessis played 154 games, scoring 4773 runs at an average of 35.10 and a strike rate of 135.79, with his highest score being 96. He has also played in six PSL matches between 2019 and 2021 for Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators.
Du Plessis's decision to prioritize the PSL comes as the schedules of both leagues are clashing. He explained that the PSL offered a window that aligned better with his physical management and commitments.
