Du Plessis admitted that although it all depends upon the conditions, he is hopeful England would head into this summer's Ashes series against the Steve Smith-led side as favourites.
Images from the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, in Mumbai, on Monday.
The three-times IPL champions played a practice game at the Sevens Stadiums in Dubai where the CSK batsmen and bowlers got a good run.
The merit of the toss has been debated as a need to reduce home advantage that often results in host nations rolling out pitches doctored to favour their players in what tends to end up as one-sided encounters.
South Africa were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during their 31-run win in the fifth and final ODI against Australia in Cape Town on Wednesday.
'In auction economics, it is very difficult to retain everybody. We were aware of it...we will lose somebody. We will also get somebody in their place. Now, we have to get the best out of what we have.'
The match looked like a Jadeja vs RCB contest. What an all-round show!
efending champions Chennai Super Kings produced a clinical performance to beat Delhi Capitals by six wickets and enter their eighth final of the Indian Premier League.
Trent Boult took an IPL career-best 4/18 to consign Chennai Super Kings to their first-ever 10-wicket defeat in the T20 league.
The in-form Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore takes on Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings in a top-of-the-table IPL showdown in Mumbai on Sunday with two points and momentum at stake.
Former champions Sri Lanka are all but out of the tournament after the Islanders produced a dismal batting show to manage a modest 203, a target which the Proteas overhauled with 76 balls in hand.
The two sides experienced contrasting fortunes in their respective tournament opener.
With 43 needed off 3 overs, Faf du Plessis launched into Carlos Brathwaite's 18th over, smashing him for 20 runs which included 3 fours and a six.
Elgar looked set for his 13th Test ton until he offered Sri Lanka seamer Dasun Shanaka a sharp caught-and-bowled chance that was superbly taken.
Images from Monday's IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, in Abu Dhabi.
Check out what the players had to say on Chennai Super Kings' fourth IPL title.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's astute captaincy will be Chennai Super Kings' biggest weapon against a clinical Kolkata Knight Riders, whose troika of top-notch spinners promise to hold the aces in the high-octane Indian Premier League final in Dubai on Friday.
After last year's low, there is lot to gain for CSK
The United States Senate took the historic decision by 53-47 votes after three Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney voted in her favour along with 50 members of the ruling Democratic Party.
Gambhir's remarks came after CSK's 16-run loss against Rajasthan Royals by 16 runs in the IPL
In other big movements, Punjab Kings have released their last edition's captain Mayank Agarwal, while West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.
Needing 16 off the final over, Pollard hit Ngidi for two fours, a six off the fifth and two off the last delivery to seal victory. 16 runs came from the over as Pollard was unbeaten on a memorable 87 off 34 balls.
India's three-match ODI campaign against South Africa starting on Thursday where the hosts would be aiming to put the 'New Zealand Nightmare' behind them.
India batter Shreyas Iyer, spinner Yuzvendra Chahal along with Australian dasher David Warner are expected to be the top draws as over 1,200 players registered themselves for the Indian Premier League mega auction scheduled for next month.
Faf du Plessis stroked an unbeaten half-century as Chennai Super Kings edged past Sunrisers Hyderabad by two wickets in Qualifier 1 to enter the IPL final, in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Faf Du Plessis' injury prompted selectors to fast-track the 23 year old to the hot seat.
South Africa, who have been hit by injuries to their pacers, finally have something to cheer about with Lungi Ngidi set to make a comeback in their next game against Afghanistan on June 15.
The crowds at Tuesday's IPL Qualifier 1 won't forget Faf's 67 in a hurry.
Becomes first England fielder to take 5 catches in an innings.
Dale Steyn has claimed that cricket takes a back seat at the Indian Premier League
The margin of victory was big enough to be called dominant but South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said he was quite nervous about defending 208 against India in the opening Test.
Images from the ICC World Cup match between Australia and South Africa at Old Trafford on Saturday
Eoin Morgan said he didn't think his team had a chance after they were reduced to 31 for five in 5.2 overs.
Images from Wednesday's World Cup match between India and South Africa, at Southampton.
Kolkata Knight Riders failed in their bid to win their third Indian Premier League title in Dubai on Friday but captain Eoin Morgan said he is extremely proud of the fight put up by his team.
Bravo to miss another couple of games: Fleming
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday blamed his batsmen for the five-wicket loss to Chennai Super Kings in the IPL opener, saying they wasted a good start by throwing their wickets away.
Three-time champion Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals would look to build on their first wins and gain momentum when they clash in the Indian Premier League in Mumbai on Monday.
Images from Tuesday's IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and SunRisers Hyderabad, in Dubai.
