Faf du Plessis has proclaimed himself able to return to action following his concussion in the PSL in June. “Today is the last hurdle,” du Plessis says, after missing the Hundred due to the impact of a team-accident. mate’s
“I went over for the first match [in the Hundred] to try and play, but I still felt very significant concussion symptoms, especially with the bat,” du Plessis said. “I’ve worked hard for three or four weeks to get back to normal with a good rehab regimen, with aid from professionals in England. Today is the last test, and I’m simply making sure I finish the whole practise. And then I’ll be ready for [his team’s CPL debut].”
After nearly three months on the sidelines, du Plessis said the injury was more serious than he imagined. “Tough three months,” he said. “I didn’t anticipate it to take this long or be this terrible. The feeling of completion is quite satisfying to me.
“I still have a lot of cricket to play this year. As previously stated, missing three months of cricket is not pleasant. So I am excited to get back out on the field.”
The Kings begin their CPL campaign against the Jamaica Tallawahs on Saturday, and du Plessis is thrilled to have former captain Daren Sammy join the backroom staff.
“On the pitch, I would rely heavily on my teammates,” he remarked. “I am a man who asks plenty of questions. In any case, I seek for support and guidance. Daren Sammy is one of those men, and we shall heavily rely on his plan. We’ll use Andy’s experience on the side a lot. When it comes to making those instinctive, gut choices on the field, you rely on your expertise as a captain.”
He will then join the Chennai Super Kings for the second half of the IPL in the UAE. In the first half, he started the batting in all seven matches, scoring 320 runs and hitting four half-centuries. To keep up the winning streak, du Plessis said a change of site would help his team’s balance.
“I think our Chennai squad is better balanced for the Dubai leg,” he remarked. “Second, we had been playing some really terrific cricket in the first half of the IPL, so I hope that form can continue. So let me pick up where I left off. But for now, it’s back to cricket.
“It’s been a difficult three months. I didn’t expect it to be so long. I don’t think we cricketers know enough about concussion. After being hit on the helmet, you’re either ready to bat again or you’re ready in a week! So I expected it to take between two and four weeks, but it’s taken triple that time. It’s been difficult for me, but I’m glad it’s over.”