South Africa star batter Faf du Plessis has decided to skip the IPL 2026 auction, opting to shift his focus to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the upcoming season.
Du Plessis confirmed that he will instead take up a new opportunity in Pakistan. “This year, I’ve decided to embrace a fresh challenge by joining the upcoming PSL season. It’s a chance to grow, experience a different environment, and compete in a league full of talent and energy. I’m excited for the new country, new setup, and the famous Pakistani hospitality.”
In the 2025 IPL season, du Plessis scored 202 runs in nine matches for Delhi Capitals and even led the side in two games when Axar Patel was injured. However, the franchise released him ahead of the 2026 auction.
Across 154 IPL matches, du Plessis ranks as the fourth-highest overseas run-scorer. Over the years, he represented Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Rising Pune Supergiants, and won two IPL titles with CSK.
This will not be his first stint in the PSL. He previously appeared in six matches between 2019 and 2021 for Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators.
The IPL 2026 season is scheduled from March to May, overlapping with the PSL window of April to May, meaning du Plessis could only commit to one tournament.
