Exclusive: Faf du Plessis applauds Virat Kohli's 'incredible' ODI World Cup campaign on First Sports show

Former South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis had words of praise for senior India batter Virat Kohli, crediting his “hunger” for success that he showcased in the ODI World Cup recently. Kohli broke multiple records in the World Cup, including going past Sachin Tendulkar for most ODI centuries, as he finished the tournament with 765 runs. However, India would go down to Australia in the World Cup final in Ahmedabad, with Kohli’s half-century going in vain. “First of all, he (Kohli) had an incredible World Cup, didn’t he. I could almost predict that you could see the way that he was, the energy he had before the tournament, the hunger for a World Cup at home. Things like that always play a big part,” Du Plessis said during a conversation with Rupha Ramani on the Mic-Up segment of the First Sports show on Tuesday.

“The kind of player that you are, how hungry you are, Virat actually show that (hunger), leads from the front. I am really chuffed for him for the World Cup he had,” Du Plessis added. ‘Reasonable for him to be tired’: AB de Villiers on Virat Kohli's international future Du Plessis said that he and Kohli enjoy a good relationship and that the latter was an important part of the RCB setup. Du Plessis had joined RCB ahead of IPL 2022 and taken over as their skipper. “We’ve got a really good relationship. He is an important part of RCB and the think tank around. There’s a lot of behind the scenes that goes around planning, talking and it’s not always using up Virat’s time for that because he is playing so much. Virat is an important part of discussions regarding RCB,” added the 39-year-old. Du Plessis spent almost a decade with Chennai Super Kings (Barring 2016 and 2017 when he played for Rising Pune Supergiant following CSK’s ban) since joining the franchise in 2011. “It’s difficult to explain that really. I am really grateful I could spend 10 years with CSK. I felt like there’s a real loyalty around fans with CSK. Even when I wasn’t there, it felt like I never left. I have said it so many times, but I always have extreme gratitude for that franchise and the fans. I do feel the love everywhere I go, still today,” said Du Plessis. The Pretoria-born cricketer said that it was about the level of expectations at RCB, given that the fansd have been desperate for the franchise to win an IPL title. “And obviously, moving away from that to a franchise like RCB. I think there’s a level of expectation from RCB fans. They’re so desperate for something, obviously a trophy and I get that. That makes me hungry for it (the trophy) as well. “You want to go somewhere where no one’s gone before, so that has given me a sense of purpose to try and give the fans what they want. We know that the IPL is not an easy competition, but within the fans there’s a real passion,” commented Du Plessis.