Virat Kohli has got an extremely strong leadership style: Faf du Plessis

The Royal Challengers Bangalore named Faf du Plessis as their next skipper on March 12 i.e. just two weeks ahead of the IPL 2022. He will be taking over the reins from batting megastar Virat Kohli who led the franchise for nine seasons from 2013 to 2021. The three-time finalists roped in the veteran batter for a sum of INR seven crore at the two-day IPL 2022 mega auction last month.

After his appointment as the new captain of the Bengaluru-based franchise, congratulatory messages started pouring in for Faf from all corners including his predecessor Kohli, former franchise CSK, and ex-Proteas teammate and best friend AB de Villiers, etc. Now, the South Africa batter has showered praise on Virat and also said that he would be taking inputs from the batting icon.

Virat Kohli is one of the most respected leaders of the game: Faf du Plessis

“Virat Kohli, just not for RCB but also for the international game, he is one of the most respected leaders of the game. Huge respect for what he has done with the bat in his hand but also from a captaincy perspective. He has changed Indian cricket and I have seen that over time, playing against India. I could see that leadership footprint in the Indian team. A competitive, fit team that was fighting fire with fire,” said Faf du Plessis while speaking at the RCB unbox event in Bengaluru.

“He has got an extremely strong leadership style. That is something that we will still need even if he is not being the captain, that energy that he brings to himself and also for the team is hugely important for us. So like that, we will try and use that as best as we can”, he added.

The Proteas sensation was released by the defending champions Chennai Super Kings despite him having played a key role in their fourth title triumph. He had an outstanding 2021 season where he finished as the second-highest run-getter with 633 runs from 16 matches. The 37-year-old would be looking to start afresh as the Royal Challengers Bangalore eye a maiden IPL crown.

RCB will kick off their IPL 2022 campaign when they lock horns with Punjab Kings at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on March 27.