Faf du Plessis to Undergo Surgery for Lingering Tennis Elbow Injury, Leaves CPL Midway
South African cricketer Faf du Plessis opts for surgery after enduring a two-year tennis elbow injury. Leaves CPL midseason, St Lucia Kings maintain lead. Loss of power due to injury challenged gameplay. Sikandar Raza assumes captaincy.
In a significant turn of events, South African cricketer Faf du Plessis has made the tough decision to undergo surgery for a persistent tennis elbow injury that has plagued him for nearly two years. The injury had forced him to rely on cortisone injections as a temporary measure, but with his condition deteriorating, the surgery has become a necessary step towards long-term recovery.
Du Plessis, who had been a key player for the St Lucia Kings in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL), had to leave the tournament midway due to his impending surgery. Despite his departure, the St Lucia Kings maintained a strong position at the top of the points table with two wins, a loss, and two no-results from their five games.
The 39-year-old cricketer expressed mixed emotions about his departure, stating, “Happy with the results but obviously sad [that] I’m leaving at a crucial stage in the tournament when you feel like the team can start doing some really good things.” Du Plessis revealed the extent of his struggle, noting that he had received eight cortisone injections over the two years, but the treatment was no longer effective for his condition.
Elaborating on the impact of the injury on his performance, Du Plessis highlighted a noticeable loss of power due to the pain, forcing him to adjust his playing style. Despite this setback, he emphasized his intention to make a strong comeback.
With Du Plessis leaving the tournament, the St. Lucia Kings faced a leadership vacuum. To fill the void, Sikandar Raza has been appointed as the new captain for the remainder of the CPL season. Du Plessis expressed confidence in Raza’s abilities and the team’s leadership depth.
Addressing the change in leadership, Du Plessis said, “Always for me, it’s about pulling people in for the journey, and try and ask questions. And I feel that’s the best way, according to me, to run things.” He praised the experience of Raza and other senior players in the team, expressing faith in their ability to steer the team towards success.
The news of Du Plessis’s surgery and his departure from the CPL has sent ripples through the cricketing community, prompting fans and fellow players to wish him a speedy recovery. His absence will undoubtedly be felt, but the resilience he has displayed in the face of injury suggests that he will return to the game with even greater determination.
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