One of the batting mainstays of the South African middle order, Faf du Plessis has proved an able successor to the legendary Jacques Kallis, albeit only with the bat. However, unlike his school friend AB de Villiers, Faf didn't exactly take the swift route to the national side and came into the team only when his Kolpak deal with Lancashire had expired. The former's stonewalling 110* to save the Adelaide Test catapulted him to instant stardom and established him as one of the key members of the Protea side. Later appointed full-time captain of the team, Du Plessis has emerged as a natural leader, especially in Tests. But given the long list of disappointments faced by South Africa at World Cups, Faf's credentials would be carved in stone if he can lead his team to glory in the marquee event.
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Visiting captain Faf du Plessis felt the way the hosts batted in the first innings made the difference between the two sides. He also praised his India counterpart Virat Kohli for his fantastic unbeaten 254 in the first innings.
Mohammed Shami bowled a lethal spell on the fifth day in Visakhapatnam that went a long way in India winning the first Test by 203 runs.
Not many expected the Proteas to put up the fight that they did considering they were hammered in India four years ago.
South Africa ended up losing the first Test against India at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam by a heavy margin of 203 runs.
Live Streaming Cricket, India vs South Africa 1st Test, Day 5: Find full details on when and where to watch Day 5 of 1st Test between IND vs SA Live online on Hotstar and TV telecast on Star Sports.
Faf du Plessis has insisted that Keshav Maharaj's presence in the squad makes the Proteas ready to face rank-turners in the upcoming Test series against India.
In 2015, Faf du Plessis had a tough time, scoring just 60 runs in seven innings as South Africa lost the four-match Test series 0-3.
Faf du Plessis's flight to Dubai was delayed and for that reason, the chances of him catching his connecting flight to India was also in jeopardy.
While 35-year-old Du Plessis is still the captain of the Test side, Nkwe gave enough indications that South Africa wants to infuse fresh blood going into next year's World T20 in Australia.
Faf Du Plessis will be playing alongside Belfast's icon player Shahid Afridi and marquee player JP Duminy under the guidance of coach Ian Pont.
India will play New Zealand in one of the semi-finals in Manchester while Australia will take on England at Edgbaston in the other semi-final.
Out of the semifinal race, South Africa will simply be playing for pride after two wins and five losses in the competition.
Former champions Sri Lanka are all but out of the WC after the Proteas produced a dismal batting show to manage a modest 203, a target which the Proteas overhauled with 76 balls in hand.
The South African captain admitted that it was important to keep the three-format players fresh ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
South Africa have won just one game out of the five they played and after the loss against New Zealand on Wednesday, their 2019 World Cup campaign is all about salvaging pride than winning the cup.
Latest Cricket News 2019 World Cup: Faf du Plessis said that he feels five years older and the loss to New Zealand on Wednesday is hurting as South Africa stare at elimination from 2019 World Cup.
Man-of-the-match Imran Tahir (4/29) and Chris Morris (3/13) wreaked havoc to bundle out Afghanistan for a meagre 125 and then win by 9 wickets.
Du Plessis knows there is a long way to go but believes the current situation could bring out the best of his team.
A struggling South Africa got their first point of the World Cup after their game against the West Indies was abandoned due to persistent rain on Monday.
The South African captain broke his silence on the phone-call with AB de Villiers, stating that the former Proteas batsman was too late to approach the side.
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