Faf du Plessis religion: Is He a Christian or Muslim? Why he Doesn’t Talk About His Religion?
Faf du Plessis, a name that is always present in the sports news cricket, needs no introduction. With an impressive winning rate of around 73% as the ODI cricket captain of the Proteas, he is regarded as one of the best leaders in modern-day cricket. The explosive batsman has led South Africa in 39 ODIs, winning 28 of them, while he had to concede defeat in 10 matches, and 1 match ended in no result. However, recently Faf du Plessis’ religion has become the talk of the town as the cricketer officially admitted to be practicing one religion.
Ever since his inclusion in the South African cricket team, Faf has proved to be immensely valuable for his team. He is known for his ability to play shots all across the ground. In addition, he is the go-to man for his team and plays according to the situation of the game.
He knows when to go slow during the time of building partnerships and when to increase the tempo. Faf’s natural ability to hit the ball with astute timing and placement makes him one of the fiercest batsmen in world cricket.
The 39-year-old has all types of shots in his arsenal—be it a skyrocketing six or classic square cuts on the offside. He is brilliant against both spin and pace. When Faf gets into a rhythm, it’s literally impossible to stop him.
Besides batting, Faf is also widely regarded as one of the greatest fielders on the field. In his 10-year international career, he has taken 168 catches and executed several run-outs at crucial times. It won’t be wrong to consider him as the modern-day Jonty Rhodes! Faf’s ability to prevent boundaries and take impossible catches just inches away from the boundary rope makes him an amazing 360-degree athlete!
Faf du Plessis—Championing a Cause
It’s not uncommon for a celebrity or superstar athlete to dodge questions related to religion, politics, and other sensitive issues, but the Pretoria-born cricketer is known for his candid take on various issues.
No wonder, when the Black Lives Matter movement was at its peak in 2020, the skipper fought against racism and discrimination when Faf du Plessis’ religion was unknown. He didn’t hesitate to raise his voice for people of color. He stood in solidarity with fellow Protea bowler Lungi Ngidi, igniting the sensitive issue of racism in international cricket. When other South African players chose silence, Faf supported Ngidi, and both of them constantly advocated for equality and racism-free cricket.
In a past interview, the superstar athlete remarked, “Racism is still prevalent in South Africa, and I’ll continue to raise my voice.” He emphasized the importance of equality and elaborated that all lives don’t matter until and unless black lives matter and receive due respect.
What is Faf du Plessis’ religion?
Many people have doubts about Faf du Plessis’ religion. Some believe him to be an atheist, while others claim Faf du Plessis to be Muslim. If you look closely, you’ll find an Urdu tattoo embedded just below his left chest. The Faf du Plessis Muslim Urdu tattoo actually reads ‘fazal‘ in Urdu, which translates to ‘Grace’ in English. But it has nothing to do with the religion he practices in his daily life and it doesn’t actually mean that Faf du Plessis is a Muslim.
In reality, Faf du Plessis a Christian, was born and raised in a family that has a firm faith in the Lord Jesus. Deep inside, Faf du Plessis is a Christian and never forgets to thank Lord Jesus for his skyrocketing success in cricket. Faf du Plessis’ faith is strongly inclined towards God and he expresses his gratitude to the almighty almost every single day without fail.
A few years ago, Faf du Plessis’ religion was openly admitted by him in an interview. Faf du Plessis’ Christian religion was revealed by himself as he said,
“Religion has always been a relevant topic in the media. For instance, former Indian captain Virat Kohli is believed to have gotten over his rough patch in cricket after offering his devotion and prayers to the Hindu God Shiva in the jyotirling. Similarly, the former South African captain Faf du Plessis’ religion has been a trending topic. I grew up thinking of myself as a Christian, but it was more of a religion to me. I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus, so nothing ever took root in my heart. It was only when I began on a journey with a pastor — now a friend of mine — who explained to me what Jesus’ love really looks like. Once I understood this powerful truth, I chose to get baptized. My heart instantly changed as I gave my life to Christ and started understanding the truths of God much more clearly. As I found a new completeness in Christ — something I had never experienced before — I wanted to change the way I lived my life to be in alignment with these truths.”
He added, “Initially, it was hard to grasp the concept of giving your career and performance over to God, trusting Him in whatever happens on the cricket field, whether that results in success or failure. But now, as I have grown in my faith and knowledge of God’s sovereignty, I truly believe that He has put me here for a reason. I have a purpose in Him. There are a few challenges I face as a Christ-follower in this sport. The first one is the environment I find myself in. There are many cricket players who come from different beliefs and faiths, and in many teams, I have been the only Christ-follower. That can be quite lonely in the sense that I don’t have people there for support or just to pray with. The second struggle is the temptations we face. Because we travel a lot all around the world, there are many situations where you face group pressure to do something you shouldn’t. But as I grow stronger and more mature in my (Faf du Plessis’ faith) belief, the easier it is to say no.”
“I know the reason I have success in this sport is solely due to Jesus and I thank Him every day for that. When my career is done, I want to be remembered as a very good leader who challenged other players to be the best they can be. I also want to be known as someone who stood up for what they believed in”, he concluded.
Faf du Plessis Career Highlights
Test Matches:
He played 69 tests, scoring 4163 runs with 10 tons & 21 fifties at an average of 40.
ODI Matches:
Faf represented South Africa in 143 ODIs, accumulating 5507 runs with 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries at an average of 48.
T20Is:
Faf managed to score over 1520 runs in T20Is at an average of 36 with 1 ton and 10 fifties.
IPL:
Faf participated in 130 IPL clashes, amassing 4133 runs with 33 half-centuries at an average of 37 and a strike rate of 134.
Faf du Plessis: A Testament to Consistency and Excellence in Cricket
Cricket, often referred to as a gentleman’s game, is replete with legends and stalwarts who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Faf du Plessis, the former South African captain, is one such cricketer who has etched his name in the annals of the game with his remarkable consistency and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Du Plessis’ Test career spanned 69 matches, during which he scored a total of 4163 runs. This impressive tally includes ten centuries and twenty-one half-centuries, all achieved at an average of 40. These statistics alone underscore his ability to anchor the innings and build substantial partnerships, making him a pivotal figure in the Proteas’ Test lineup.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Faf’s impact was equally profound. He featured in 143 matches for South Africa and accumulated a staggering 5507 runs. What sets him apart is his impressive record of twelve centuries and thirty-five half-centuries at an exceptional average of 48. His ability to adapt to the changing demands of the ODI format showcases his versatility as a cricketer.
The T20 International arena witnessed Faf’s flair for the shorter format. With over 1520 runs to his name, including one scintillating century and ten half-centuries, he proved that he was not just a Test and ODI specialist. His T20I career reflects his adaptability and ability to excel across all formats of the game.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), du Plessis showcased his prowess as a franchise cricketer. In 130 IPL matches, he amassed a total of 4133 runs, accompanied by an impressive tally of 33 half-centuries. His average of 37 and a strike rate of 134 in the high-octane T20 league highlighted his ability to thrive under pressure.
What truly sets Faf du Plessis apart is not just his remarkable statistics, but his leadership and commitment to the game. He captained South Africa in all formats, steering the national team through turbulent times and guiding it to many memorable victories. His captaincy was characterized by resilience, tactical acumen, and the ability to lead by example.
In conclusion, Faf du Plessis is more than just a cricketer with impressive statistics; he is a symbol of consistency, adaptability, and leadership. His performances in Test matches, ODIs, T20Is, and the IPL showcase his versatility and skill across all formats of the game. South African cricket and cricket enthusiasts around the world will forever cherish his contributions to the sport.
Trivia: Du Plessis has one of the highest batting averages (58) in World Cup matches among the current cricketers. He represented South Africa in 23 World Cup matches.
In Conclusion
The media has always showcased an interest in the religion of the cricketers as it has always been one of the most relevant topics even in the modern era. Several cricketers have been spotted on and off the field, praying and thanking their respective gods for their success, like Faf du Plessis’ religion has always been under the scanner.
In addition to being a Protea cricket superstar, Faf is an excellent human being. He is always connected to his roots and maintains a happy camaraderie with his colleagues and people both on and off the field. Last year, he added another feather to his cap by authoring his autobiography, “FAF: Through Fire.” The book was launched on October 28th, 2022, and it instantly became a hit among fans and cricket enthusiasts.
FAQ
What is Faf du Plessis’ religion?
Faf du Plessis a Christian, was born and raised in a family that has a firm faith in the Lord Jesus. Deep inside, Faf du Plessis is a Christian and never forgets to thank Lord Jesus for his skyrocketing success in cricket. Faf du Plessis’ faith is strongly inclined towards God and he expresses his gratitude to the almighty almost every single day without fail.
Why Faf du Plessis Doesn’t Discuss Religion?
Faf du Plessis’ religion debate came to an end as admitted to be a Christian a few years ago.
