Faf: Through Fire

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But it's not a traditional tell-all which stitches together a series of first-hand accounts from a 10-year career. It was during the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup. South Africa were cruising towards their target of 222 set by New Zealand. Yes, I have talent, but it's hard work and mental toughness that got me to where I am. I like to think that I've been able to control myself and take myself to places that went beyond my natural talent." His 110 not out off 376 balls to save a Test in Adelaide on debut is the best example of this, though he does remember a time when his calm exterior melted under the bright lights of centre stage. Du Plessis featured in three series for South Africa after relinquishing the captaincy. The disappointment he experienced at seeing a number of rituals that were instated during his captaincy no longer being followed is evident in his writing.

The early excerpts of du Plessis’ book generated their fair share of controversy. Du Plessis clears the air.

I am very excited about my book, ‘Faf Through Fire’, being launched in India. I have always felt at home here and I have been extremely blessed to receive immense support while playing in India over the years. I hope that the readers enjoy reading it as much as I loved sharing it,” du Plessis said in a statement. Not that Du Plessis is throwing stones from a glass house. He makes no attempt to downplay his own brushes with controversy. Du Plessis had already been bowled by Pat Cummins for four and was cooling off in the shower when he heard a commotion outside the dressing room door. It was important for me to be honest about things that have not been spoken about before. The point of that was never to be controversial, it was always to protect people.”

De Villiers puts in a dive but is short of his ground. South Africa would lose the match by 49 runs as another World Cup went up in smoke. Du Plessis highlights the importance of the capping ceremony for a debutant. Inspired by Graeme Smith’s captaincy, Du Plessis asked players who knew the debutant closely to speak about the player. It was one way to ensure that players entering the team environment felt welcomed. His notes indicated that “leadership, relationships, and culture” were recurring themes and had the potential to add value to other people’s lives. He's hardened since then. His inner circle has tightened and no longer includes de Villiers. This book offers a glimpse behind the curated exterior.It tells the story of a player at a crossroads in the game, a champion in his country's colours now consigned to being a freelancer on the global franchise circuit. For instance, Du Plessis found Pite van Biljon’s capping ceremony to be a “diluted affair,” compared to the rituals that took place during his captaincy. He was also disturbed to see players focused on their cell phones right after a loss to Australia because the first thirty minutes after a game, in Du Plessis’ view, are crucial for team players to connect with one another. Despite the challenges in Du Plessis’ childhood with respect to his parents’ dynamic, his father instilled the discipline and mental toughness that allowed him to successfully navigate the hurdles he faced throughout his professional career. Du Plessis was also grateful for his mother’s tenderness and sensitivity that balanced his father’s strict and uncompromising approach to raising him. When that happens, your whole world stops," du Plessis says. "You're hit with this wave of pressure. It's like, 'Oh no, what's happening? What will the fans think? What will the media say?' You start worrying about the past and the future and forget the present. Salman Khan says people call him a superstar because of his ‘arrogant walk’, believes he’s an ‘average Bandra boy’

The former, a strapping fast bowler, was routinely hugged and often kissed by Du Plessis who wants to show that it's OK for even so-called 'alpha' men to show physical affection with other men. Former South Africa and current Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, Faf du Plessis’s memoir, Faf Through Fire, published by Penguin Random House India, has been released today in India. When the idea of an autobiography was floated, du Plessis was reluctant because he felt like he did not have the inclination to write a book. There was 'Zipgate' - where he was found guilty of rubbing the ball on the zipper of his trousers against Pakistan in 2013 - and 'Mintgate' - an incident in 2016 against Australia where he was seen applying residue and saliva from a mint onto the ball. Considered to be the last in the golden generation of Proteas, he also won silverware with the Titans and his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings, multiple times.Warner is an important villain in the piece. That incident during the Durban Test, which ended in a 118-run win for Australia, was just the first flashpoint across a volatile series that would be the highlight of Du Plessis' four-year tenure as captain. He also highlighted that his book isn’t just a reflection of numbers that he has achieved through the years. He wanted his fans to know what goes on inside in the minutest of details. He said, “The purpose of the book is that every story that I write in it has some sort of impact on the relationships in my life. Most importantly, the through line, right through the book is leadership. So even sometimes when a story seems like it's about someone, it's actually not really about someone; it's how I experienced it in my perspective." Another important team practice that Du Plessis held dear was the “no cell phone” policy for a half-hour after a game. It gave the team time to connect with each other after a victory or a loss. In particular, it was vital to protect players from the abuse they would typically receive on social media if they did not perform on the day. Du Plessis understood the impact of social media on a player’s mental health after he, and his family, received death threats following South Africa’s loss to New Zealand in the quarter-final of the 2011 World Cup. Once he learned to accept this, he was able to find comfort in his own journey, one that took a lot longer to reach the apex of his sport.

Sandpapergate' is well covered in the book and Du Plessis expresses sympathy for Bancroft, whom he presents as an impressionable stooge, and Smith, a captain and player that has Du Plessis' admiration. I wanted to write a book about leadership, about relationships, about struggle. That's what this is about. I wanted to create something that people would be able to relate to. Du Plessis would feel this way when he made his international debut for South Africa in January 2011, shortly after an important culture camp held at Hennops River in Centurion. Although Du Plessis was not part of the team present at the camp, the ideas revolving around team culture would build the foundation for his career as a player and captain.If things had gone differently I could have played in last year's World Cup, maybe even this one [2022 T20 World Cup] too," he says. And with South Africa once again in control, a young Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera stuffing a piece of sandpaper down his pants.