IPL 2022 | 'DK is as close as it gets to MS Dhoni' - Faf du Plessis

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis revealed the reason behind holding back Dinesh Karthik in the batting lineup in the DY Patil Sports Academy match Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. 


While heaping praise on the 36-year old, the South African said that the team was looking to use the wicket-keeper batter's experience towards the end of their innings against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). 


Dinesh Karthik, in return, lived up to the team's expectations as he smashed a six and a boundary in the final over to take them past the finish line.


"Just the experience. The runs were never a problem. We just needed to have wickets in hand. DK is as close as it gets to MS Dhoni when it comes to being ice cool. I rely on other people for help. We have great people in the camp. There is good communication in the group. The guys have been great. They have been supportive. They are coming to me with ideas," said Faf du Plessis at the post-match presentation ceremony. 


The 36-year-old played an exciting cameo knock in RCB's opening game. He smashed an unbeaten 32 off just 14 balls against Punjab Kings (PBKS) to help his side post 200 plus on board.   


The 37-year old captain asserted that low-scoring games are crucial at the beginning of any competition. He further added that he likes to count on others for help and the players in the team are supportive and keep coming up with different ideas. 


"Very happy. Close small margins are very important at the start. Small score, we just tried to be positive, but very good bowling from their seamers. The ball swung a little earlier, but today there was seam and bounce. Two-three days ago, it was 200, and today it was 130. We would like to be more convincing," du Plessis added. 


"I rely on other people for help. We have great people in the camp. There is good communication in the group. The guys have been great. They have been supportive. They are coming to me with ideas," he concluded. 

Discover more
Top Stories
news

'Never played to prove anything' - Abhishek Nayar lavishes praises on Ajinkya Rahane

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) assistant coach Abhishek Nayar opened up on working with Ajinkya Rahane, who is now a vital player of the franchise. Rahane was picked as a backup opener by KKR, and since Alex Hales opted out of the tournament, he was given a chance to open in the tournament opener against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The 33-year-old grabbed the opportunity with both hands and played a match-winning 44-run knock for his side. Labelling Rahane as a 'team man', Nayar lauded the KKR batter for his commitment to every side he plays for. "Knowing Ajinkya, he has been someone who never played to prove anything to people. Someone who has always played because he enjoys playing this game. Also, he plays with the utmost desire to do well for his team," Nayar told KKR's official website. "He's an absolute team man. If there was one player who would stand out and you can consider a proper team man, I think it's Ajinkya," he added. Rahane was recently dropped from India's Test team and went on to play the Ranji Trophy in a bid to make a comeback. Although Nayar asserted that the Maharashtra-born cricketer has the calibre to return to the national team, his sole motive currently lies in winning a title for KKR. "In terms of making a comeback [for India], I think he has always had that calibre. Like when he came back from the Test side to play first-class cricket for Mumbai, he got a hundred in the first game," he added. In the end, the former Mumbai batsman affirmed that Rahane isn't looking at the ongoing season of IPL to make a comeback to the national team. "Also, Rahane is someone who's always got runs. Even in the IPL he has been successful. I don't think he's approaching the IPL in terms of making a comeback," Nayar concluded.