Former South African captain Faf du Plessis has announced that he will not participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2026, marking the first time in 14 years that he will be absent from the tournament. The veteran cricketer revealed on Saturday that he has decided against entering his name in the IPL auction, choosing instead to explore an opportunity in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) next year.
Du Plessis made his IPL debut in 2012 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and quickly became a key performer, scoring 398 runs in his debut season. Over the years, he won two IPL titles with CSK — first in 2018 and again in 2021 — establishing himself as one of the league’s most consistent and admired players.
“After 14 seasons in the IPL, I’ve decided not to put my name into the auction this year,” du Plessis said in a post on X. “It’s a big decision, and one that comes with a lot of gratitude when I look back. This league has been a massive part of my journey.”
Despite stepping away, du Plessis made it clear that this isn’t a permanent goodbye.
“I’ve been lucky to play with world-class teammates, for amazing franchises, and in front of fans whose passion is like nothing else. Fourteen years is a long time, and I’m proud of what this chapter has meant to me. India has a special place in my heart, and this certainly isn’t a goodbye — you’ll see me again,” he added.
The 41-year-old confirmed that he is ready for a new chapter, announcing his participation in the PSL 2026, which will run concurrently with the IPL from March to May. “This year, I’ve chosen to take on a new challenge and will be playing in the upcoming PSL season. It’s an exciting step for me — a chance to experience something new, to grow as a player, and to embrace a league filled with incredible talent and energy,” he wrote.
Du Plessis is not entirely new to the PSL. He previously played for the Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi, featuring in six matches across two seasons.
In the IPL, du Plessis has represented multiple franchises. In addition to CSK, he captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) between 2022 and 2024. Ahead of the 2025 season, Delhi Capitals picked him up, but he delivered a modest 202 runs in nine matches, averaging 22.44 with two half-centuries. He also played for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016 and 2017.
Overall, du Plessis leaves behind an impressive IPL record: 154 matches, 4,773 runs and an average of 35.09 — figures that reflect his reliability and longevity in one of the world’s toughest T20 leagues.