Dubai: South Africa Twenty20 captain Faf du Plessis has warned rivals ahead of Friday’s crucial clash with Mumbai Indians that his side, the Chennai Super Kings, will prove to be unstoppable in the Pepsi Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014.
“We can take a lot of confidence from last night’s [Wednesday night] victory against Rajasthan Royals. It was a tight game, but it is very important for us to get through and make sure that we win,” Du Plessis said in an exclusive interview with Gulf News at the Puma store in Dubai Mall on Thursday. “Now it is looking good with two wins from three games. We are now playing about 70 to 80 per cent at the moment, but still winning. And if we start putting everything together, then we are going to be unstoppable.”
The South African has been part of the Chennai squad for the last three seasons but until recently has not had many opportunities to make his mark, despite excelling in the limited game time he had last season. However, with Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey not being part of the franchise this year, Du Plessis will have a big role to play in helping the five-time finalists maintain their stranglehold on the league.
The right-handed batsman also said that CSK are eager to defeat the defending champions Mumbai, one of their top rivals, in Friday’s clash in Dubai.
“Chennai-Mumbai clashes are always really big games. Over the last six years, these two have been the two big franchises and it’s always been a huge rivalry between us. We wanted to beat them very badly every time we play them.”
And helping his cause will be the huge crowd support the Chennai Super Kings have enjoyed here in the UAE, which has left Du Plessis “super amazed”.
“I have played for South Africa against Pakistan in Tests and one-dayers in the UAE. The crowds were very small. I came here thinking that I’d get similar crowds, but they have been amazing. It feels like playing back in Chennai.
“We are lucky because we have got one of the best support bases. It is nice to be playing for Chennai as we are having a great relationship with the fans.”
However, unlike the fans, the Chennai food has not always gone down too well with Du Plessis, who has also learnt a few words in Tamil.
“I like curries and I am one of those foreigners whose tummy gets working a bit too much, but I am enjoying them,” he said. “I have also learned a few Tamil words, but have forgotten them now as I have not been there for a year. I just understand the whistle-podu [Super Kings team song] on the stage and I have tried the whistle, but struggled with it.”
Du Plessis might call Chennai an oven due to its hot and humid temperature, especially during this time of the year when the IPL is usually played, but is confident the team can serve up a treat for the fans once again.
