Sunil Gavaskar gives his verdict on Faf du Plessis replacing Virat Kohli as RCB captain for IPL 2022

Faf may not have led an IPL franchise, but had captained South Africa in 36 Tests and 39 ODIs between 2013 and 2019.

All the anticipation was put to rest on Saturday after Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finally named their captain for the impending 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Virat Kohli had relinquished the position at the end of IPL 2021 and RCB named Faf du Plessis as their new captain for the 15th season. And the decision left former India captain Sunil Gavaskar mighty impressed hailing it as a “terrific” choice.

Sunil Gavaskar; Virat Kohli with Faf du Plessis

Faf, who was picked for INR 7 crore in the mega auction last month, pipped veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who was roped in for INR 5.5 crore at the auction, and Australia's Glenn Maxwell, who was retained by the franchise.

Speaking to Star Sports after RCB's big announcement, Gavaskar recalled how Faf had led the South African side out of a turmoil and admitted that the 37-year-old has loads of captaincy experience.

"Loads of captaincy experience, loads of leadership quality you see in Faf du Plessis. I am not surprised at all. Remember, he took South African cricket ahead. There was a time in South African cricket when there was a bit of turmoil. He managed to get the team together and get South Africa right up to the top. Clearly, a terrific decision by RCB to hand over the captaincy to Faf du Plessis," Gavaskar said.

Faf, who has played Rising Pune Supergiants and Chennai Super Kings in his IPL career, may not have led a franchise in the tournament, but captained South Africa in 36 Tests and 39 ODIs between 2013 and 2019.

"Big shoes to fill (AB de Villiers' absence), no doubt about that. Faf du Plessis will open the batting. He would want to lead from the front, show the way. These are exciting times for RCB," he added.

The legendary batter further added that expectations from Kohli must not drop given that he is no longer the captain of the franchise and hailed his commitment towards the team he plays for, RCB or India.

"Don't for a moment think just because Kohli is not captain, his performance is going to go down. We have seen him even now in Tests, how he is all the time with Rohit Sharma, trying to help him out. His involvement is total, he wants his team to win, whether he is captain or not. So that is what he will do with RCB," he added.

RCB will open their IPL 2022 campaign against Punjab Kings on March 27.