South African cricketer Faf du Plessis has announced that he will not participate in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After being released by the Delhi Capitals, the veteran batter has opted not to register for the auction. Du Plessis confirmed the decision through an official statement on his social media handles, where he also revealed that he will be featuring in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is scheduled to run concurrently with the IPL.
Despite skipping the season, Du Plessis clarified that he is not retiring from the IPL and intends to return in the future. This marks the first time in 14 years that he will miss the tournament, having been a part of the league since 2012. Over the course of his IPL career, he represented four franchises — Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals — earning a reputation as a consistent performer and valued leader.
In his statement, Du Plessis reflected on his long IPL journey, expressing gratitude for the friendships, experiences and support he received in India. He emphasized that the decision was driven by a desire to take on a new challenge, with the PSL offering an opportunity to explore a different cricketing environment. Calling Pakistan a welcoming new destination, he said he was looking forward to experiencing its hospitality and competing in a league known for its vibrant talent and energy.
