South African cricketer Faf du Plessis is gearing up for a surgery to address a persistent tennis elbow injury that has plagued him for nearly two years. The 39-year-old had been managing the injury with cortisone injections as a temporary measure, but it has now reached a point where a more permanent solution is needed.
Du Plessis, a key player for the St Lucia Kings in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season, had to make the tough decision to leave the tournament midway to undergo the operation. Despite the Kings leading the points table with two wins, a loss, and two no-results from five games, Du Plessis expressed mixed feelings about his departure.
The tennis elbow had begun to impact Du Plessis’s performance and power game in T20 cricket. He noted that the pain had caused a slight loss of power, leading him to play at around 80% power instead of his usual full range. This adaptation affected his gameplay but allowed him to maintain precision on smaller fields like those in the CPL.
Sikandar Raza has taken over the captaincy role for the St. Lucia Kings in Du Plessis’s absence. While the loss of a captain and key player presents challenges, Du Plessis expressed confidence in the team’s depth and leadership potential. He highlighted Raza’s experience in T20 and T10 cricket, emphasizing the importance of utilizing available resources for effective management.
Du Plessis’s approach involves involving his teammates in decision-making and learning from their expertise. Roston Chase and Johnson Charles were singled out for their contributions, underscoring the collaborative spirit within the team. Despite the disappointment of his injury forcing him to step away, Du Plessis remains committed to supporting the Kings’ journey from the sidelines.