'CSK were willing to pay...' - Ravichandran Ashwin reveals exclusive insight on CSK's strategic for roping in Dewald Brevis

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has stirred controversy with a striking revelation about the franchise’s signing of young South African batter Dewald Brevis during the IPL 2025 season. Brevis was roped in midway through the tournament as an injury replacement for Gurjapneet Singh, with CSK securing his services for INR 2.2 crore. The move was seen as a calculated gamble to bolster the squad, as Brevis was already a sought-after T20 talent, admired for his explosive batting and ability to change the course of a match in a short span.

Ashwin claimed that Brevis had been in discussions with multiple IPL franchises before eventually deciding to join CSK because they offered him a higher payment than others. The disclosure quickly caught the attention of fans and cricket analysts on social media, with reactions sharply divided. While some appreciated Ashwin’s candor, others criticized him for revealing details they believe should remain confidential between the player and the team management. The statement has since fueled debates over transparency and confidentiality in IPL player contracts.

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“Is he the next AB or the first DB? Brevis had a great time with CSK last year. I came to understand two or three other teams also spoke with him but they missed picking because of having to pay extra money. While picking up a player mid-season, there will be discussions with the player’s agent to negotiate on an ‘X’ amount apart from the base price to acquire his services. CSK were willing to pay the extra money due to which he (Brevis) came into the franchise,” Ashwin said speaking  on his YouTube channel with former RCB analyst Prasanna Agoram.

Watch the interview here;

Dewald Brevis was a revelation for CSK in IPL 2025

Although Dewald Brevis had prior IPL experience with Mumbai Indians in 2022 and 2024, he truly came into his own after joining Chennai Super Kings in 2025. While his average with MI hovered around 23, it jumped to an impressive 37.50 in his debut season with CSK. Playing six matches, the 22-year-old smashed 225 runs at a strike rate of 180, including two fifties, excelling in the finisher’s role. His performances solved CSK’s lower-order crisis from the previous season and showcased his ability to close out games with explosive batting under pressure.

Since IPL 2025, Brevis has been in remarkable form across formats. He scored 166 runs in the Vitality T20 Blast at a strike rate of 180.43, averaging 33.2. He then made his Test debut for South Africa, scoring a fifty, followed by topping the run charts in a T20I tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand with 133 runs at a strike rate of 187.31. Most recently, he became the youngest South African to hit a T20I century against Australia. With the IPL 2026 mini-auction approaching, his hot streak makes him a prime retention target for CSK.