Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has announced he will not enter the IPL 2026 auction, opting instead to play in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Du Plessis, who has made 154 IPL appearances and won two titles with Chennai Super Kings, expressed deep gratitude for his 14 seasons in India. “This league has been a massive part of my journey… India has given me friendships, lessons, and memories that have shaped me as a cricketer and as a person,” he wrote on social media.
In IPL 2025, du Plessis scored 202 runs in nine matches for Delhi Capitals and even captained the side in two games, but was released ahead of the auction. Despite stepping away this year, he did not rule out a future IPL return, emphasizing, “This certainly isn’t goodbye – you’ll see me again.”
The PSL opportunity marks a new chapter for the South African star. Du Plessis has previously played six PSL games between 2019 and 2021 for Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators, and he said he looks forward to experiencing “a new country, a new environment, and a new challenge.”
With the IPL and PSL seasons overlapping in April-May, du Plessis’ decision prioritizes the PSL, adding another high-profile name to Pakistan’s premier T20 competition while pausing his record-setting IPL career.
