MLC 2023: Faf du Plessis to captain Texas Super Kings in inaugural edition

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis will be seen leading the Texas Super Kings in the inaugural season of the upcoming Major League Cricket, America’s first professional T20 Cricket League. The Dallas-based franchise is owned by the owners of the joint-most successful IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings.

The team will be coached by the legendary New Zealand cricketer Stephen Fleming, who’s also the coach of CSK and Joburg Super Kings in SA20. The franchise announced the news of Du Plessis’ appointment and released a special video of the South African cricketer. In the video, the 38-year-old can be heard saying “Whistle for Texas”.

Texas Super Kings took to Twitter to make the announcement and wrote,” No c a p tion needed! 💛 @faf1307 @MLCricket.”

No c a p tion needed! 💛@faf1307 @MLCricket #yellovetexas #MajorleagueCricket #WhistleForTexas pic.twitter.com/2X0yUkBNY7

— Texas Super Kings (@TexasSuperKings) June 16, 2023

Notably, Faf du Plessis has been captaining Royal Challengers Bangalore from IPL 2022 onwards. The side managed to reach the playoffs in 2022 but got knocked out in the league stage in the 2023 season. The 38-year-old finished as the second-highest run scorer of the tournament with 730 runs to his name in 14 innings at an average of 56.15.

Meanwhile, during the first season of MLC, several big names of international cricket such as Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, Ambati Rayudu, and David Miller will be seen playing for the Texas Super Kings. It will be a reunion of Santner, Rayudu, and Conway who recently won the IPL 2023 playing for Chennai Super Kings.

Dwayne Bravo to also play for Texas Super Kings

The MS Dhoni-led CSK beat Gujarat Titans by five wickets to win their fifth IPL title which makes them the joint-most successful franchise of the tournament along with Mumbai Indians, who also have five titles to their name.

Texas Super Kings will also feature legendary all-rounder and bowling coach of CSK Dwayne Bravo playing for them. In the coaching department, Fleming will be assisted by Eric Simmons and Albie Morkel. The MLC 2023 will feature six teams going against each other and will be played from July 14 – 31 in Dallas, Texas.