CSK star Faf du Plessis reveals being 'on a lonely road' while captaining South Africa

South Africa captain and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Faf du Plessis has in an official statement anunced that he will step down as captain from Test and T20 sides with immediate effect. decision comes after questions were raised on Du Plessis’ leadership of Proteas and need to integrate new generation leaders into setup. Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock will take over captaincy in Test and T20 formats for South Africa.

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CSK star Faf du Plessis steps down as South Africa captain; admits being on a 'lonely road'

Faf du Plessis released an official statement of him stepping down from role of captain of South African sides shortly after Cricket South Africa (CSA) anunced it on ir official Twitter account. 35-year-old took to Instagram to release full statement and thanked fans for ir support. Du Plessis said that it had been a privilege to lead South Arica in all three formats of game and said that rest from England T20Is gave CSK star some perspective.

He said that his journey was rewarding and testing at times but will never replace experience for anything because it is what made him man he is today despite being  'on a lonely road' at times. 'lonely road' might be a subtle dig at CSA's leadership, which has been criticized by likes of AB de Villiers and Vern Philander in past. Both of m are amongst few South African cricketers who hastened ir international retirements due to lack of support from top brass or financial issues that board is facing.

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Quitting captaincy one of hardest decisions in life: Faf du Plessis

In a Cricket South Africa statement, CSK star Faf du Plessis said that he would like to focus on contributing to team as a batsman and senior player and offer guidance and advice to new leadership group as part of ir succession planning. Du Plessis added that it would be in best interests of team if steps down as captain as team heads into a new generation of leaders and a younger crop of players. CSK opener added that relinquishing captaincy was one of hardest decisions for him but will remain fully committed to supporting new captain Quinton de Kock, Mark Boucher and his teammates as team continues to rebuild and re-align as a group.

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IPL 2020: Faf du Plessis stats as captain 

Faf du Plessis took over as captain of South African Test team in 2016 and all formats of game in 2017 after former teammate AB de Villiers stepped down from respective roles. CSK star captained South Africa in 35 Tests, winning 18 of those, third-most in history of South African cricket. In 37 T20Is under Faf Du Plessis’ leadership, South Africa won 23, which is most wins by a South African skipper. Faf Du Plessis will feature in upcoming IPL 2020 and will look to add ar IPL trophy to his kitty. 

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