Faf du Plessis exceptional knock vs KKR (Source: @IPL/x.com)
If IPL is a thriller web series, certain players would be the ‘main characters’ who hijack entire episodes with their brilliance. Talents across the globe graced the IPL stage, but the Proteas have some magic, turning matches into their own playground and taking the thrill to another level.
ABD’s firepower for RCB is well known, but Faf du Plessis in the iconic Chennai Super Kings jersey was a whole different madness. Later on, he represented other franchises too, but his remarkable knocks for the yellow army are still fresh in fans’ memories.
Ahead of IPL 2026, du Plessis may be sitting out, but who can forget his explosive 95 that smashed the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021? Let’s look back at the du Plessis carnage on that day.
Wankhede witnesses Faf’s brilliance as KKR faces Protea carnage
Since T20 cricket hit the scene, the game has never been the same, and the IPL took it to another level. After the tournament was introduced, world cricket discovered a new aspect to celebrate the shortest format. Combining Indian talent with international firepower, the tournament gifted fans some of the best cricketing moments.
Talents from every part of the world graced the big stage, but the Protea talents set the bar high. Among all, the fans remained in awe of Faf du Plessis’ talent. Amidst his exceptional knocks, his outstanding unbeaten knock of 95 runs vs KKR stunned the world.
.jpg)
Facing the Knights at the iconic Wankhede, the Chennai Super Kings, du Plessis came to open the innings with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Turning on the heat from the first ball, the duo pushed the team to score fifty runs in the first 33 balls. After Gaikwad crossed the 50-run mark, it was time for du Plessis to unveil his Protea power.
Putting the KKR bowlers on hot water, the batter smashed a thrilling half-century in 35 deliveries and kept swinging the bat on high. After Gaikwad walked away, he stitched a small yet impactful 50-run partnership with Moeen Ali.
After Ali walked away, the stadium erupted in the loudest cheer as Captain Cool walked out to bat. But he walked away early just scoring 17 runs. As CSK kept losing wickets, he stood tall, tearing apart KKR’s bowling attack and steering his team to glory.
Till the end, fans were broken as he missed a well-deserved hundred by just five runs, but some 95s are better than centuries. On that day, with a brave heart, Faf du Plessis' unbeaten 95 pushed CSK to put on a massive total of 220 runs on the board.
The South African batter represented other IPL teams like the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Delhi Capitals, but his unbeaten 95 on that day was far from fading from fans’ memories. The upcoming IPL will not be the same without Faf, but fans will remember his carnage.
