MLC 2025: Faf du Plessis on why cricket’s American dream is just getting started

For Faf du Plessis, captain of the Texas Super Kings, cricket in the United States isn't just another T20 franchise gig — it's a chance to witness and shape the game’s evolution in a country with untapped potential.

Now in his third season of Major League Cricket (MLC) - all three coming for Texas Super King - the South African star sees clear signs of progress."I think what we've seen, from year one to year two, the domestic cricketers, the quality has improved a lot. And that's in any league around the world. If you create enough opportunity, people do rise to the top," said the 40-year-old to TimesofIndia.com. "So I think, yeah, if you fast forward this league, I think in 10 years time from now, it'll be exciting to see what American cricket can do."Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!"Initially in year one, it was just playing in a different country, new wickets where we haven't played on. The surfaces in year one were a little bit tricky and by the time we got to year two, it was better."

"So playing in those conditions, you're just trying to use your experience to problem solve when you get out there and see what's the best way possible to succeed," he added.

And du Plessis has used his experience brilliantly so far. In four matches, he's scored 133 runs including a 51-ball century against the San Francisco Unicorns. He's also left a mark with a one-handed catch.

On the leadership front, Texas Super Kings are second in the points table as of June 21 with three wins out of four played. Their only has come against the yet unbeaten Unicorns.Having spent seven years with the Chennai Super Kings - sister concern of the TSK - du Plessis brings a wealth of leadership experience to Texas, working closely with coach Stephen Fleming — a partnership built on trust and friendship. “There’s synergy in our personalities. We've had consistency across franchises, and that carries through in Texas too.”

Leading a diverse team of international and American cricketers, du Plessis stresses the importance of relationship-building. "I think wherever you play or captain, it's about understanding the culture of the different guys that are there. So the most important thing is spending time with people and getting to know them better so that you build relationships. And through relationships, you build trust. And trust is really important when it comes to the cricket field," he explained on leading the TSK in MLC.