Happy Birthday Francois Du Plessis

On this day, Francois Du Plessis also known as Faf Du Plessis, was born on 1985, at Pretoria, Transvel Province at South Africa. He is a right handed batsman and a right arm leg break bowler, who started his career as a bowling all rounder. Before representing South African National cricket side, he played for Lancashire over 4 years. He had signed up for Kolpak Deal, in which to attain England Citizenship he need to play at England County and stay at England for atleast for 7 years. But, during 2011, as the Kolpak Rules changed, it was clearly shown that he was no longer a part of Lancashire. Meanwhile his performances for Notherns domestic team, earned a maiden call up for International cricket side in the tour against India. In his maiden game, he scored an unbeaten 60 runs. Initially, he was used as a lower middle order batsman with making him bowl few overs. But, after times changes, he had converted himself into a full time batsman. On recent days, many got shocked when he was the one who dismissed Virender Sehwag at 2011 Cricket World Cup. Also, he was one of the 30 uncapped players to be shortlisted for 2011 Cricket World Cup and ultimately earned his spot in the side over Albie Morkel. 

Basically, Faf has been a batsman, who would be playing more of top handed shots. He is not a pinch hitter but he is a kind of batsman who could player longer innings in his time frame. He had saved him team at many occasions. His lofted shots over mid off and his pull shots were critically acclaimed. Also, he is known as "Marathon Man", who works hard both on and off the field, and has the calmness to play a big match winning innings.

He is the first South African cricketer to score centuries at all three formats, and also the first ever to score at all three formats at a single venue, Johannesburg. He also has the second most highest individual score at ODIs, scoring 185 runs, which is just 3 runs short of Gary Kirsten's 188.

From 2013, he has been the captain of the side, and till 2017 he has been playing his role actively as a vice captain. Also, as a captain, he became the second cricketer after Tillakaratane Dilshan to score centuries at all three formats of the game. His captaincy skills have been so phenomenal. So calm and composed cricketer who believes much in skills.

He had scored 10,000 runs across all three formats with hitting 22 centuries and 64 half centuries. Even at the age of 35, he has been in a great fitness position and often been an example of his acrobatics. He had also been a great fielder in all forms of the game. His fielding skills have been praised all over the world, particularly his dives and his reflexes close to the boundary line.