Royal Challengers Bangalore veteran to undergo surgery, will leave CPL 2023 midway

Faf du Plessis, a prominent South African cricketer, has left an indelible mark on the sport through his exceptional skills and leadership. Known for his composed batting style and versatility across formats, Du Plessis has been a stalwart in the cricketing world. His remarkable captaincy and ability to thrive under pressure have made him a respected figure on and off the field. 

3 things you need to know

• Faf du Plessis was named the captain of the CPL 2023 team St. Lucia Kings this season
• Du Plessis also leads Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League
• The former South African captain is all set to undergo surgery for a tennis elbow injury

Also Read: Faf Du Plessis Pulls Off A Stunner In A Diving Effort During MLC 2023 Match - WATCH

Faf du Plessis pulls out of CPL 2023

Faf du Plessis is finally set to undergo surgery after enduring a tennis elbow injury for approximately two years. Over this period, the South African cricketer relied on temporary solutions such as painkiller injections. However, the injury has now reached a point where a more permanent solution is necessary.

This decision to opt for surgery led the 39-year-old to leave the ongoing Caribbean Premier League season midway, despite his team, St. Lucia Kings, currently leading the points table. The team has secured two wins, suffered a loss, and had two no-results from five games. Du Plessis contributed 112 runs in three innings.

Speaking about his departure during the post-match presentation of St. Lucia Kings' recent game, du Plessis stated, "Happy with the results but obviously sad [that] I'm leaving at a crucial stage in the tournament when you feel like the team can start doing some really good things in the tournament."

He explained his decision, saying, "For me, the challenge with the elbow is I've played with it (tennis elbow) for almost two years; I've had eight cortisone injections into my elbow. So I'm at a stage where the cortisone is not good for my body anymore; so that's why the operation is always the last resort. I didn't want to do it, but [have] time off now. I've got to basically go from here to get off the plane into the hospital to get the surgery done."

Also Read: Faf Du Plessis Rejoins Super Kings, All Set To Lead The Franchise In Upcoming Tournament

Faf du Plessis's resurgence in T20 cricket has been a highlight of his recent years. However, the elbow injury has impacted his gameplay. With du Plessis's departure, Sikandar Raza will take over as the new captain for the St. Lucia Kings for the remainder of the season. Note, Du Plessis is also the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. 

Image: IPL/BCCI