He is a bigger alpha than me – Faf du Plessis on leading Virat Kohli in IPL

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Faf du Plessis has opened up on leading Virat Kohli in the IPL. The former South African captain admitted that Kohli is a bigger alpha than him. Kohli led RCB for nine years but couldn’t lead the team to glory.

Kohli decided to relinquish his captaincy duties after IPL 2021 and RCB roped in Faf du Plessis in IPL 2022 mega auction. The South African led the team to the playoff stages in the previous season but they lost to Rajasthan Royals in the second qualifier.

Meanwhile, Kohli is known to take the bull by its horns and he is always aggressive in his approach.

Speaking on The Grade Cricketer Podcast, du Plessis said, “He’s a much bigger alpha [male] than me, isn’t he? That’s the thing, you don’t try and compete. The ego is the thing always where peacocks generally clash. Then like the feathers come out and you want to see who has got the shiniest in the room. Luckily, I get that about people and relationships.”

“I don’t try and outshine someone else in the dressing room. I try and build a relationship with someone. With Virat, that was exactly my point of entry,” du Plessis added.

Du Plessis went on to praise Kohli for his passion for the sport. Kohli is well known to wear his heart on his sleeve and gives 120% on the field. The 38-year-old admitted Kohli is one of the most competitive players in world cricket.

“I had played against him for so long. He is one of the most competitive guys in the world of cricket to play against. You sit there and you go – how does this guy have so much energy? Every single time a wicket falls, doesn’t matter if it’s a No.11 or an opening batter, his passion for celebration is like you just have to go, ‘I’ll take my hats off to you’. He’s superhuman.”

Both Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis were retained by RCB ahead of IPL 2023 mini-auction, which will take place in Kochi on December 23.