Cricket
Baby AB answers CSK’s SOS─── MORGAN PIEK 09:56 Sat, 19 Apr 2025
In a bold mid-season move, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have roped in South African batting prodigy Dewald Brevis as a replacement for injured pacer Gurjapneet Singh for the remainder of IPL 2025.
Brevis, who went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction despite a modest base price of R1.65 million, will now join CSK for approximately R4.8 million – a striking turnaround that reflects both his recent form and CSK’s urgent need for firepower.
Brevis is no stranger to the IPL after previously having been on the books of the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians.
Bringing a whole lot of Protea Firepower! ????#WhistlePodu #Yellove ???? pic.twitter.com/9seFMWU1fI
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 18, 2025
Nicknamed “Baby AB” for his striking resemblance to AB de Villiers in style and shot-making, the 21-year-old has been building momentum in global T20 circuits.
He played a crucial role in MI Cape Town’s SA20 triumph earlier this year and has turned heads with his aggressive approach and unconventional stroke-making. His 230 runs at a strike rate of 184 in that tournament made him the sixth-highest run-scorer, reigniting interest in his potential.
Brevis has also been consistent in domestic formats back home, finishing among the top scorers in South Africa’s one-day and first-class competitions. Though his international T20 experience is limited to just two games in 2023, his global T20 franchise resume – including stints in the IPL, CPL, and MLC – suggests a maturing talent ready for the big stage again.
Keegan Petersen and Dewald Brevis. Photo: Morgan Piek
CSK’s decision to bring in Brevis is as much a strategic roll of the dice as it is a statement of intent. The five-time champions have struggled this season, languishing at the bottom of the table with just two wins from seven games.
Leadership disruptions, including Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury and MS Dhoni’s return to captaincy, have added to the team’s woes. Gurjapneet Singh, the Tamil Nadu seamer originally bought for the same price as Brevis, didn’t feature in a single match this season.
His injury opened the door for Brevis – and perhaps for CSK to inject much-needed aggression into their top order. As CSK scramble to revive their playoff hopes, all eyes will be on Brevis. CSK’s next game in the IPL will be on Sunday when they face the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
