3 Teams that could start a bidding war for Faf du Plessis at IPL 2026 auction

Published - 19 Nov 2025, 16:40 IST | Updated - 19 Nov 2025, 16:41 IST

Veteran batter Faf du Plessis is among the 17 players released by Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2026 mini-auction, which is set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on December 16.

He was signed by the Capitals at the 2025 mega-auction for his base price of INR 2 crore. However, he didn't have fruitful returns in IPL 2025, aggregating just 202 runs in nine matches at an average of 22.44 and a strike rate of 123.92.

He is set to go under the hammer in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Let's look at the teams that could rope him in.

Gujarat Titans have traded Sherfane Rutherford to the Mumbai Indians ahead of the auction. The West Indies batter was the Titans' No. 4 batter in IPL 2025. While Faf du Plessis has generally opened in the IPL in recent years, he can also bat at one down or even at No. 4.

Du Plessis has ample experience playing in the IPL. He has amassed 4773 runs from 154 matches at an average of 35.1 and a strike rate of 135.79. If the Titans acquire the services of du Plessis, they will have one of the most formidable top four batters in the competition, with captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler already in the line-up.