Mo Bobat and Andy Flower reflect on “tricky decision” to release Faf du Plessis

Among the many captains released into the IPL 2025 Mega Auction pool by the franchises was Faf du Plessis, who led RCB for three seasons - from 2022 to 2024.

The dynamic opener also displayed exemplary touch at the top of the order for RCB in all three seasons and was particularly in a purple patch of his own during IPL 2023, an edition in which he put up 730 runs from 14 matches at a strike rate of 153.68 and continuously challenged for the Orange Cap.

Yet, his role as captain stole the spotlight last season, when he shepherded the team from the depths of disappointment after six losses in a row to turn it around with seven victories on the trot that fuelled RCB into the playoffs.

However, RCB opted against retaining Faf ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, and in a Bold Diaries video, head coach Andy Flower and Director of Cricket Mo Bobat shared the reasoning behind letting go of the South African.

Flower said, “One of those people that these retention decisions has affected will be someone who I admire greatly, Faf Du Plessis. Faf, I've known for a number of years. I've worked with him at different franchises. And last year, I thought his captaincy and leadership in what was a really tough season, particularly in the first half, his leadership was sensational. And he was very much a part of leading the revival that took us into the finals.”

The Zimbabwe cricket legend added, “He is calm and strong with a good sense of humor, particularly for a South African. And he is a guy that we spent a lot of time discussing. Faf is 40 now and still playing very good cricket. He's just led his CPL side to victory very recently in the Caribbean and I'm not surprised by that.”

Bobat shed some light on how the auction dynamics played its part in RCB making the tough call to let Faf go, despite considering his retention.

He said, “The decision to not retain Faf is a tricky one because I have nothing but admiration for him as a bloke, as a cricketer, as a leader, and as a captain. Again, I wouldn't underestimate how big a role he's played for RCB in the last few years and how much, if he isn't with us, we're going to be missing him. So that was a tough decision for us.”

Bobat also explained, “Obviously, the way that these retention bands and purse are set out, it does make it difficult to get everything you want. Faf, I'm sure, will admit himself, is at the latter part of his career now. And obviously for Andy and I, we have to think really strongly around RCB's leadership moving forward.”

Flower too echoed Bobat’s perspective and explained how the franchise is keen to play the waiting game to see who they can pass on the leadership to from IPL 2025 onwards.

Flower said, “Given the start of a new cycle and the big auction, we are leaving our options open on the leadership front. We wish him (Faf) well and we will be watching how the auction progresses.”