CHENNAI: What was the secret behind Faf du Plessis’ 52-ball 73 on Saturday? It may well have been the desi beats the team listen to in their dressing room before they make it to the pitch. “I don’t know the names of the songs,” he admits while trying on a pair of shoes at the Puma showroom at Express Avenue, “I just like to dance to them!” Having taken the Chennai Super Kings to victory in three games, it certainly seems as though he’s got his dancing shoes on — every time he shimmies down the pitch to loft the ball over the long-on boundary.Du Plessis, who has excelled as CSK’s opening batsman this season, made an appearance with long time girlfriend Imari at the store a day before CSK’s last seven-wicket victory against the Rajasthan Royals. Asked about battling the humid Chennai summer, the opener seems not to mind too much. “I came to Chennai last year as well, so I’m quite used to it by now,” he smiles. He reveals his coolant is “a glass of coconut water every day”, and adds with a laugh, “I have had it straight from the coconut, but just once.”The climate change certainly does not stop this sportsman from indulging in his favourite Indian curries. “I like it spicy,” he says with obvious relish. “Particularly chicken tikka with naan or rotis...,” the South African rattles off a few of his most ordered items from the menu. And with his emerging as the second highest run scorer in the IPL thus far, it is evident that ‘hot curries’ have no impact whatsoever on this steely player on or off the field. Unfortunately, Faf (the nick name started when he was a young boy) hasn’t had a lot of time to try out Chennai’s culture just as yet. “I haven’t watched any South Indian films because we just haven’t had the time,” he says. But with his girlfriend in the city, it appears that sari shopping may be on the agenda — right after his sports shoes have been decided on.Would he like to try a game of gali cricket? “Definitely,” Faf responds without hestitation. He realises that though it may be difficult to organise, but coming to Chennai so often now for the IPL, “it would be great to get a chance to play gali cricket with some kids on the streets!” That would be a Chennai memory to carry home. Although communication may be a hiccup. So far, he admits, “I only know one Tamil word.” Apparently, this is one he learnt from his fans. ”Whistle podu?” he asks, a tad unsure. Well, there’s ample time to get the shout right.
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