'Congratulations to all South Africans' - CSA after backlash over omitting Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir from congratulatory post

After omitting Faf du Plessis and Imran Tahir from their congratulatory post earlier on October 16, Cricket South Africa took to its official Twitter account to congratulate “all the South Africans who competed in and claimed victory in the 2021 IPL final”.

CSA received severe backlash earlier for the strange omission of du Plessis, the second-leading run-scorer in the edition, who won the Player of the Match in the final against Kolkata Knight Riders for his 59-ball 86. In the recent tweet, however, the CSA gave a special mention to du Plessis. “Notably Faf du Plessis who put in a Man of the match performance”, read the tweet.

The previous post, which read “Congratulations @lungingidi on claiming the 2021 IPL with Chennai Super Kings”, was deleted after the criticism but not before du Plessis himself had taken notice of it. “Really???”, a shocked du Plessis had responded, while former pacer Dale Steyn had termed their omission as “disgusting”.

“Who’s running this account? Last I checked Faf isn’t even retired, Imran isn’t retired, both these guys have given years of service to CSA and they [are] not worth a mention? Disgusting”, Steyn’s comment read.

“Congratulations to all the South Africans who competed in and claimed victory in the 2021 IPL Final with Chennai Super Kings. Notably, Faf du Plessis who put in a Man of the match performance”, the new tweet read.

“That was a great day. I am really grateful for today. It was also my 100th game in the IPL. I have loved my time here. I have done almost ten years here – two seasons were a bit of a break. No. 4 in the trophy cabinet is really good. Gaikwad is a special talent. Indian cricket is blessed with talent. He is getting better. He’s got a super, bright future ahead of him. I have a word with him, but I don’t think he needs me,” du Plessis, who has not been named in South Africa’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad, said after his team’s victory on October 15.

The Chennai Super Kings defeated Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs in Dubai to clinch their fourth IPL title.

Congratulations to all the South Africans who competed in and claimed victory in the 2021 IPL Final with Chennai Super Kings. Notably Faf du Plessis who put in a Man of the match performance pic.twitter.com/rC9QaIZ90r

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 16, 2021