Happy birthday, Faf du Plessis – The Inked Gladiator leading from the front

IPL 2024 witnessed one of the most heroic turnarounds as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru won six matches on the trot to qualify for the play-offs from almost practically crossing the Rubicon. Contributions poured in from all corners to eventually lift RCB to the final four before bowing out in the first Eliminator.

There was no dearth of praise whatsoever for the entire team but if there was one man who very silently got his job done, it was the captain of the team, Faf du Plessis. As we celebrate his 40th birthday today, it won’t be wrong to say that Captain Faftastic has aged like fine wine.

The Inked Gladiator who arrived in RCB in 2022 has spearheaded the team to a couple of play-offs from the three seasons that he has captained. Despite missing out the 2023 play-off spot by whiskers, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru fought ferociously until the very end. Something about Faf du Plessis that always makes him an unstoppable force on the field is his unyielding resolve.

No matter the odds, no matter the obstacles, Faf keeps on fighting. Whether it is at the expensive price of his own ribs or an almost emptied out lung, he manages to crawl to the end if need be but he just doesn’t stay down. It wouldn’t have been surprising if the Fight of the Century would have seen him take the ring alongside Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali at the Madison Square Garden, because he never stays down.

2024 was even more special for our Skip not just for the herculean turnaround, propelling RCB to the promised land of play-offs but also his electric fielding. Turning the clock back by almost a decade and a half, nothing escaped Faf’s sight or reach. He would backtrack at times and balance himself with balletic perfection to latch onto screamers or he would simply fly occasionally to challenge the Son of Krypton.

If your captain is capable of those crazy manuevers on the field at the ripe age of 39, it goes without saying that the youngsters would be pumped up beyond the wildest of imaginations and what follows suit is stuff from cricket folklore, six wins on the trot and a barnstorming entrance into the play-offs.

We wish you a very happy birthday, Faf du Plessis. Have a rocking one.