The Republic Bank 2023 CPL has kicked off with a captivating start, showcasing a mix of washed-out games and resounding victories that have kept the fans engaged.
Under the leadership of Faf du Plessis, the team's performance has been commendable. However, the former South African captain recently announced that he would be handing over the captaincy reins to Sikandar Raza to undergo a long-awaited surgery.
In a conversation with Darren Sammy, Faf expressed his deep sense of pride in representing the Kings.
“Sikandar Raza is now going to do the job. Like Sammy said he’s an experienced player, so it’ll be good for the group. It’s a nice opportunity for him as well, because he has already been a captain in the Zimbabwe T10 as well, and overall is great for his own career. He will also get to learn from someone like Sammy, who is a very well-respected figure in the Saint Lucia Kings dressing room.”
Reflecting on Faf's departure, Sammy highlighted the unique contributions Faf made, both on and off the field.
“He has his own set of contributions, but what sets him apart from the rest is obviously his leadership. I am truly going to miss that. I know we have Sikandar with us but he has been a star for us.”
Sikandar Raza's performances with the bat and ball have been exceptional, contributing significantly to the team. He shared his thoughts on being entrusted with the captaincy for the remainder of the season.
“It's quite humbling for Saint Lucia to trust me with a big responsibility, but I’m very relaxed about it. This is all down to the boys in the squad that are so focused and determined that captaining for me would be to just go out there and flip the coin.”
The Zimbabwean all-rounder acknowledged the void left by Faf du Plessis' departure while expressing his determination to lead and accomplish the goals set by Saint Lucia Kings.
“Yes, Faf has done such a fantastic job for this family, and it isn’t complete without him, but we understand he has got surgery coming up and just want to wish him a swift recovery.”
Colin Munro has been brought in as a replacement for Faf du Plessis. As the tournament enters its crucial phase, the expectations are high for both Raza and Munro to make significant contributions.
