CSA T20 League: Du Plessis' experience will be invaluable, says CSK-owned franchise

Faf du Plessis made 58 runs off 47 balls to take Chennai Super Kings target to 179/4. (Image: IPL/BCCI/Twitter)

The Chennai Super Kings-owned Johannesburg franchise on Sunday lauded former South African captain Faf du Plessis and said that the former CSK star will play a pivotal role as one of its marquee players in the inaugural edition of the CSA T20 league. Du Plessis, who was also part of CSK in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2011 to 2021, except for 2016 and 2017, when the team was suspended, was recently roped in by the Johannesburg franchise.

Du Plessis, however, played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the last edition 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," said CSK CEO KS Viswanathan in a press release.

"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 also roped in England all-rounder Moeen Ali, Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana, West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd, and South African fast 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 said.

"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 onGerald, as recommended by Faf," he added.

The franchis also praised Ali and said that the latter's experience in white-ball cricket will come handy for the side during the tournament. "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 said.

The franchise also backed the signing of 22-year-old Theekshana and said that the Sri Lankan's recent performances in limited overs cricket was the reason behind his inclusion into the team. "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 said.

"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 edition of the CSA T20 League is scheduled to be played in January-February 2023 and all the six franchises in the tournament have been acquired by current IPL team owners.

Apart from CSK owning the Johannesburg-based franchise, MI Cape Town is the sister franchise of Mumbai Indians and the teams from Durban, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Paarl and Pretoria are owned by Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals respectively.