The cricketing world woke up to a bombshell on November 29, 2025. After 14 seasons in the IPL, Faf du Plessis has officially opted out of the upcoming 2026 auction and committed to playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) instead. (Dawn)
This decision marks a significant shift in T20 dynamics, potentially reshaping roster strategies across the world’s top leagues.
Faf du Plessis: The Veteran South African Star Making Bold Career Moves
Faf du Plessis continues to dominate headlines as he prioritises new challenges in global T20 leagues.
Even at 41, his fitness, leadership, and batting form keep him among the most respected cricketers in the world.
His latest decision to shift from the IPL to the PSL shows his hunger for fresh competition.
What Happened: The Announcement & Statement
- Du Plessis announced via social media that he will not put his name forward for the IPL 2026 auction.
- In his statement, he reflected on a “massive chapter”—acknowledging friendships, memories, and experiences across franchises in a 14-year stint.
- However, he clarified that this is not a retirement from T20 cricket. Instead, he calls it a “new challenge” and opts for PSL for the next season. (ESPN)
- Du Plessis said he looks forward to a “new country, a new environment, a new challenge” and eagerly anticipates the hospitality and energy of Pakistani fans.
The final blow came just a fortnight before the IPL auction, a bold step that stunned many observers and analysts alike.
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Career Snapshot: Why This Move Matters
Du Plessis enters this transition with an impressive legacy:
- 14 IPL seasons, four major franchises: Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rising Pune Supergiant, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Delhi Capitals (DC).
- 154 IPL matches, amassing over 4,700 runs at a healthy average and strike rate, placing him among the most successful overseas batters in league history.
- Some of his standout IPL seasons: 633 runs in CSK’s 2021 title-winning campaign and 730 runs in 2023 while captaining RCB, one of the finest captain-batter seasons in IPL history.
For a player of his calibre to step away from the IPL, even temporarily, sends a signal: the balance of power among global T20 leagues may be shifting.
Why PSL? Motivations Behind the Move
According to Du Plessis, several factors contributed to his decision: (ESPN.com)
- Workload management & career stage: After years of end-to-end seasons, the PSL may offer a shorter, different rhythm that appeals to a 41-year-old aiming for longevity.
- Fresh challenge: A new league, new conditions, and a chance to re-energise career focus. He’s previously played in the PSL (for teams like Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators between 2019 and 2021), which gives him familiarity with Pakistan-based conditions. (Dawn)
- Respect and nostalgia: Du Plessis paid tribute to the IPL’s role in shaping him as a player while acknowledging it’s time for “a new chapter.”
He insisted this is “not goodbye forever,” hinting he might return to the IPL later, leaving open the possibility of dual-league participation or future returns. (ESPN.com)
What This Means for PSL, IPL & T20 Cricket Landscape
For PSL
- A global T20 veteran joining the PSL significantly boosts the league’s credibility and brand value.
- It could encourage other international stars to consider playing in the PSL, raising competition and spectator interest.
- Local players will benefit from exposure to experienced professionals in dressing rooms & matches, a win for Pakistan’s domestic talent pool.
In IPL
- Losing a veteran overseas star might be a wake-up call, leading to greater competition among overseas players and more scrutiny on retention and performance.
- May force franchises to reevaluate workload management, rotation, and player welfare, especially for older players.
For T20 Dynamics Globally
- Reinforces the growing influence of alternative leagues (PSL, leagues in the UAE, USA, etc.), reducing the monopoly of a single “big” league like IPL.
- Encourages cross-pollination of talent across leagues, raising standards, fan engagement, and global interest.
“Faf du Plessis Pakistan Super League move 2025” / “pulls out of IPL 2026” — Since he recently announced skipping the upcoming IPL season to play in PSL, this is huge news and trending.
“Faf du Plessis IPL stats/career records/highest score 96” / “batting average & strike rate” — With a long IPL career (154 matches, 4,773 runs), these stats remain relevant whenever people debate his legacy or compare overseas batters.
“Du Plessis, age 41, South Africa” — His age and fitness, especially with recent performance, are often highlighted as part of his resilience and longevity.
“Faf du Plessis Delhi Capitals 2025”—His last IPL team before withdrawing; relevant for fans tracking his club association.
“Faf du Plessis international, Test and ODI records”—His long national career (Tests, ODIs, T20Is) means many people search for his overall career profile, not just T20 leagues.
“Du Plessis’ retirement from IPL rumours” Given the switch to the PSL and his skipping the 2026 auction, many fans are asking if this is the end of his IPL journey, making this phrase naturally trending.
What Happens Next: What We’ll Be Watching
- Which PSL team will sign Du Plessis? Rumours have already started, with franchises evaluating fit and overseas slots.
- Will IPL franchises blame retention policies or player workload for his exit? The timing raises questions about how veteran players are managed.
- Impact on younger players: Will they view the PSL as a viable alternative to the IPL? Will more South African or other overseas players follow the move?
- Scheduling conflicts: with overlapping league windows (PSL vs IPL), how will global T20 calendars adapt? This could accelerate structural changes in cricket’s domestic leagues worldwide.
Faf du Plessis IPL Stats
Faf du Plessis has played 154 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL), amassing a total of 4,773 runs.
His overall average stands around 35.10 with a strike rate of 135.79. Across his IPL career, he has hit 39 half-centuries, with his highest score in the league being 96.
Faf du Plessis Career Records
Over his long T20 career, including IPL and other leagues, Du Plessis is known for consistency and adaptability.
In the IPL alone, his consistency across seasons (multiple 600+ run seasons) and ability to perform under pressure make him a standout among overseas batters.
Beyond the IPL, his recent performances in other leagues (e.g., 2025) show that, at age 41, he remains capable of match-winning contributions.
In late November 2025, Faf du Plessis announced he would skip the upcoming IPL 2026 auction and focus on the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He described this as a “new chapter,” citing a desire for a fresh environment and challenge.
His move to PSL is seen as a significant gain for the league, bringing in a veteran T20 batter with vast experience and a global fan base.
Faf du Plessis Pulls Out of IPL 2026
After 14 seasons in the IPL, Du Plessis formally withdrew from the 2026 auction — ending a long association with the league. He publicly acknowledged the emotional significance of the IPL in his career but called this step a planned transition, not a permanent retirement from T20 cricket.
Although some pundits view this as the beginning of the end of his IPL days, Du Plessis has not ruled out a possible return in future seasons.
Faf du Plessis Age 41: Veteran Status at Its Best
Born on 13 July 1984, Faf du Plessis is 41 years old as of 2025. Despite his advancing age, he continues to perform at competitive levels, defying expectations about age-related decline in T20 cricket.
His recent exploits, including strong innings in the 2025 season and his shift to PSL, reflect his confidence in maintaining fitness and form at the veteran stage.
Faf du Plessis’s Highest Score in IPL: 96
Throughout his IPL career, Du Plessis’ highest individual score remains 96 runs.
While he never scored a century in the IPL, his 39 fifties and several seasons with high aggregate runs underscore his value as a reliable top-order batsman rather than a one-off big-score getter.
Faf du Plessis Batting Average & Strike Rate (Overall and Seasonal Variations)
- Overall (IPL career): ~ 35.10 average, 135.79 strike rate.
- Notable recent seasons: In 2023 (for RCB), 730 runs in 14 matches; that season stands out as one of his best T20 campaigns.
- In 2025 (for Delhi Capitals): 202 runs in 9 matches, strike rate ~123.93, though form dipped compared to past years.
These numbers reflect a career with strong baseline consistency, rather than sporadic brilliance: a trait valued by teams seeking stability in top-order batting.
Faf du Plessis & Delhi Capitals 2025
In IPL 2025, Du Plessis represented the Delhi Capitals (DC). Despite a modest return (202 runs in 9 games), his presence added experience to the top order.
His involvement with DC in 2025 marked the final chapter of his long IPL career before he moved to the PSL.
Faf du Plessis International—Test, ODI, T20 Records & Legacy
Beyond T20 leagues, Du Plessis has had a distinguished international career with the South Africa national cricket team. His profile on major cricket stat websites lists him among the most consistent and technically sound batters of his generation. ESPN Cricinfo+1
Even as he pivots to leagues like PSL or MLC (as seen in 2025), his international credentials and experience add weight and leadership value wherever he plays.
Faf du Plessis’ Retirement from IPL Rumours: Real or Speculation?
While his withdrawal from the 2026 auction has sparked retirement rumours, Du Plessis himself clarified that this is not a retirement from T20 cricket but a strategic shift to PSL for now.
He emphasised that “this isn’t goodbye forever,” leaving the door open for a potential IPL return.
For fans and franchise managers, this ambiguity fuels speculation but also respects a career built on performance, not dramatic exits.
What sources estimate about Faf du Plessis’s net worth
- According to one recent profile, Du Plessis’s net worth (as of 2025) is estimated at around ₹105 crore (Indian rupees), which is roughly USD 12.8 million. (SportsDunia)
- Another source estimates his total wealth at USD 14 million (≈ ₹105 crore), factoring in franchise league earnings, endorsements, and past contracts. (Sportskeeda)
- Some outlets depending on currency conversions and which earnings are counted mention a modestly lower figure: one site estimates USD $7.5 million. (Celebrities InfoSeeMedia)
- There are also optimistic older estimates (from 2023–2024) that place his net worth around USD $15 million, combining earnings from global leagues, endorsements, and other income streams. (NetWorthList)
Why the Variation: What’s Included or Excluded
The differences in net worth figures arise because each estimate uses different assumptions:
- IPL & T20 leagues earnings vs. total career earnings: Some estimates include only league/salary + endorsements; others attempt to include lifetime earnings across all formats, international career benefits, and investments.
- Currency fluctuations & conversion rates: When converting from INR/other currencies to USD (or vice versa), exchange-rate fluctuations can cause fluctuations.
- Inclusions beyond cricket: Some estimates factor in endorsements, brand deals, investments, real estate, and assets (houses, cars), while others count only income from playing and official contracts.
What Seems Most Plausible (as of 2025)
Given his long and successful career, consistent league earnings, and brand value, the more credible and widely cited range for Faf du Plessis’s net worth in 2025 appears to be:
- ₹105 crore (INR)
- Equivalent to ~ USD 12.8 million – 14 million
This range aligns with multiple independent estimates that factor in his recent contract values, endorsements, and career history. (SportsDunia)
Final Thoughts: A Bold Move, But Smart Timing
Faf du Plessis’s decision to skip IPL 2026 and commit to PSL represents more than just a transfer; it’s a statement.
At 41, with an illustrious 14-year IPL career behind him, he chose to restructure his journey on his own terms.
The move signals not just personal recalculation but a broader shift in global T20, where leagues beyond IPL are becoming serious contenders for top talent.
For fans in Pakistan and around the world, this could be the beginning of a more diverse, vibrant, and competitive era in franchise cricket.