Former South African captain Faf du Plessis has announced that he will not feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2026 — marking his first absence from the tournament in 14 years. Instead, the veteran batter will take up a new challenge in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which will run parallel to the IPL from March to May 2026.
Du Plessis, who made his IPL debut in 2012 with Chennai Super Kings, made an immediate impact by scoring 398 runs in his maiden season. He went on to become a key part of the franchise, playing a crucial role in CSK’s title wins in 2018 and 2021.
“After 14 seasons in the IPL, I've decided not to put my name into the auction this year. It’s a big decision, and one that comes with a lot of gratitude when I look back. This league has been a massive part of my journey,” du Plessis said in a post on X. He added that he hopes to return to the IPL in the future.
“I've been lucky to play with world-class teammates, for amazing franchises, and in front of fans whose passion is like nothing else. Fourteen years is a long time, and I'm proud of what this chapter has meant to me. India has a special place in my heart, and this certainly isn't a goodbye - you'll see me again,” he said.
At 41, du Plessis now looks forward to a fresh chapter in the PSL. “This year, I've chosen to take on a new challenge and will be playing in the upcoming PSL season. It’s an exciting step for me - a chance to experience something new, to grow it as a player, and to embrace a league filled with incredible talent and energy,” he added.
Du Plessis has previously featured in the PSL, turning out for Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi across two seasons, playing six matches in total.
In the IPL, apart from CSK, the South African star captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru between 2022 and 2024. Ahead of the 2025 season, he was signed by Delhi Capitals but managed only 202 runs from nine matches, averaging 22.44 with two half-centuries.
He also represented the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016 and 2017. Overall, du Plessis has played 154 IPL games, amassing 4,773 runs at an average of 35.09.
