IPL 2021: Faf du Plessis celebrates reaching 6,000 T20 runs with an unbeaten 95 against KKR

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting stalwart Faf du Plessis reached a great landmark in his T20 career in Match 15 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on Wednesday (April 21).

As he struck Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy for a single in the first over of CSK’s innings, Faf du Plessis joined the elite list of batters with 6,000 runs in T20 cricket history.

Du Plessis, one of the most experienced cricketers in the modern-day game, reached there in his 243rd T20 match. Faf du Plessis is positioned among the top 50 highest run-getters in men’s T20 cricket, including matches at both the international and domestic arenas.

The batter’s career tally also includes 50 T20Is for South Africa with 1,528 runs at an average of 35.53 and a strike-rate of 134.38. The 36-year-old has been part of multiple T20 World Cup campaigns for South Africa.

WATCH – Faf du Plessis celebrates reaching 6,000 T20 runs with an unbeaten 95 against KKR

To celebrate reaching the 6,000-run mark, Faf du Plessis scored an unbeaten 95 off 60 deliveries for CSK versus KKR on another good batting surface at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He put on a strong opening stand of 115 runs with fellow half-centurion Ruturaj Gaikwad after CSK were asked to bat first upon losing the toss.

Faf Du Plessis took his time initially in settling in and having got the measure of the KKR spinners and pacers alike, flourished thereafter. Du Plessis’ brilliant innings saw him blaze his willow to all parts of the iconic Wankhede and included 9 fours and 4 maximums.

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The classy right-hander threatened to reach a ton when he hit KKR pacer Pat Cummins for a couple of sixes in the 20th over but couldn’t get there. Nevertheless, Du Plessis helped CSK post a daunting total of 220/3 in their allotted 20 overs.

Faf du Plessis has been one of the most consistent batters in an otherwise much-criticised, ageing CSK top six. In the last year’s edition of the IPL in UAE, which saw CSK suffer their first-ever league stage exit, Du Plessis was one of his team’s shining lights in the tournament with 449 runs from 13 matches at an average of 40.81 and strike-rate of 140.75.

With a good start to IPL 2021 under his belt, Faf Du Plessis is now on the verge of 2,500 runs in his overall IPL career.