Last Update on: June 3rd, 2023 at 07:23 pm
Former South Africa National Cricket Team all-rounder Lance Klusener has lavished rich praise on his countryman Faf du Plessis for maintaining great fitness and having the hunger to contribute to the game at the age of 38.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis was in top-notch form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, which the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final.
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The 38-year-old held the Orange cap throughout the league stage before the Indian batting superstar Shubman Gill overtook him to eventually finish as the leading run-getter in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Du Plessis smashed 730 runs in the league at an amazing average of 56.15 and a brilliant strike rate of 153.68. His best score in season was 84 and he also hit 8 half-centuries in 14 matches.
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Speaking to reporters in a media interaction at the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club, Klusener said (as quoted by TOI):
“Just hats off to Faf for staying fit and for being hungry, contributing in the best T20 competition in the world (for RCB). He’s going to the Big Bash (League) now… plays as much as he can. It’s phenomenal at this age for him to have the fire inside him, we need to respect that.”
Faf du Plessis represented the Proteas in 69 Test matches, before giving up on the purest format of the game after a “breakdown” in his relationship with former coach Mark Boucher. However, according to Klusener, it was more to do with managing his workload.
“Cricket has got to a point where there are other opportunities for you. You get to an age, you get opportunities that pay better or easier on the body, allowing you to have more time at home,” he said.
If I can inspire one person to get into an IPL or the national team, then it will be a success – Lance Klusener
The 51-year-old has been appointed as the coaching consultant of Tripura for the upcoming season of domestic cricket. He is set to spend 100 days coaching the side.
Meanwhile, Lance Klusener has stated that he wants to leave a “lasting impression” with his coaching stint and added that his stint will be a success only if he alongside the coaching staff manage to produce an IPL of India talent from the state.
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“I want to leave a lasting impression. I like to take up challenges. If I can inspire one person to get into an IPL or the national team, then it will be a success,” said Klusener as quoted by TOI.
