Faf du Plessis for RCB in IPL 2025 (Source:@RCB/X.com)
Harry Brook is one of the finest young talents in world cricket and is a crucial player for England across formats. The batter has more than 3000 runs already in his T20 career with an average of 32.84 and has a strike-rate of close to 150. These exploits at the international level and other T20 leagues around the world has earned him 6.25 Crore in IPL 2025 mega auction and he would be playing for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming season.
However, there is no dearth of talent in the DC unit as they have built a strong unit with good blend of youth and experience. Harry Brook is one of their high-profile cricketers, but only four overseas players can play in the XI, and it is likely to be a battle between Brook and Faf du Plessis for the final spot.
Faf du Plessis is also a world-class performer and has proven credentials in IPL and was spectacular in the last cycle as captain and as a batter for RCB. Let's now look at the three reasons why he should be preferred over Harry Brook by DC in IPL 2025.
1. Faf Du Plessis' Brilliant Record Over Harry Brook's IPL Mediocracy
Faf du Plessis has been playing Indian Premier League since 2012 and has performed in variety of conditions for different teams over the years. In the 138 innings, Faf du Plessis has scored 4571 runs at an average of 35.99 with strike-rate of 136.36. He has 37 fifties as well, while Harry Brook struggled in the only season he played in 2023.
Faf Du Plessis' IPL Record
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Innings | 138 |
| Runs | 4571 |
| Average | 35.99 |
| Strike-Rate | 136.26 |
| 50s/100s | 37/0 |
Harry Brook's IPL Record
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Innings | 11 |
| Runs | 190 |
| Average | 21.11 |
| Strike-Rate | 123.37 |
| 50s/100s | 0/1 |
The Englishman played 11 matches for SRH and scored 190 runs in it. Out of those runs, 100 runs came in a single game, and in the other 10 matches, the batter managed only 90 runs which how badly he struggled in his maiden IPL season. Thus, Faf du Plessis' supremacy in IPL makes him a more deserving candidate over Harry Brook.
2. Harry Brook's Struggle Against Spin And Poor Record In India
Harry Brook has played five T20Is and 11 matches in IPL in India and has got out to spinners in most of those games. In the five T20Is in India, the batter has 91 runs at an average of just 18.20. Overall too, his record against spin in T20Is is pretty poor and the Englishman has got out 19 times in 31 innings against spin.
Harry Brook Against Spin In T20Is
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Innings | 31 |
| Runs | 286 |
| Balls | 241 |
| Strike-Rate | 118.7 |
| Average | 15.1 |
| 50s/100s | 0/0 |
He has an average of just 15.1 at a strike-rate of 118.7 which is way below his overall career average and strike-rate. This struggle against spin and in Indian conditions are likely to play in his mind when he enters IPL for the second time and thus it would be better for DC to go with a proven performer like Faf who has tackled the conditions in India with great distinction over the years.
3. Faf Du Plessis' Inclusion Allows KL Rahul To Fit Into Middle Order
Fraser McGurk ands KL Rahul are likely to open the innings for Delhi Capitals in the 2025 edition. However, there have been reports that KL Rahul is keen to bat in the middle order in IPL and thus including Faf du Plessis would allow him to do so. Faf has been batting at the top of the order over the years in IPL, and would complement ultra-aggressive approach of McGurk.
Harry Brook opened in some innings for SRH in the 2023 IPL season, but he is naturally a middle-order batter and given his struggle against spin, the opposition teams could attack him in the middle overs. It could eventually hamper DC's chances while having KL Rahul in the middle order can help them navigate spin threat in a better way.
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