The 22-year-old South African cricketer Dewald Brevis has started his international career impressively with the bat, especially in the T20I format. Before the first ODI in the England tour, Brevis spoke about his popular comparison with legendary Proteas cricketer AB de Villiers. 

It is a big thing when a player has been compared with the legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers. Dewald Brevis has impressed with his quality batting from his early age in the game. Due to his batting style and explosive quality, Brevis has generally been compared with AB de Villiers, as he is known as "Baby AB."

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It was always just an honor for me: Dewald Brevis about his comparison with AB de Villiers

Brevis called the legendary cricketer his role model, but he has never felt any pressure with this honour. The youngster has called his game different, and people will understand it soon.

Before the first ODI against the hosts England at Leeds, Brevis said in a Sky Sports interview, "Whenever I was called AB, it's never been any pressure. We actually spoke about it yesterday. But yeah, it was always just an honor for me and to be compared with him because he's always been my role model. And yeah, I think now to just to play my own game and to just focus on enjoying it, I think as time goes on, people would see the way I play is different and I just want to be original to that."

"He's always been my role model" 🤝

Dewald Brevis on his 'Baby AB' nickname 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/mmybi4Z4RR

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 2, 2025

Dewald Brevis holds the record of highest T20I score by a South African

Brevis made his T20I debut in late August 2023, when they hosted Australia. This year, he made his Test and ODI debuts during the Zimbabwe tour and the Australia tour, respectively. He has played two Tests, three ODIs, and 10 T20Is, where the right-handed batter has scored 84, 56, and 318 runs, respectively. During the recent Australia tour, Brevis recorded his first T20I century and scored the highest T20I runs for South Africa with his match-winning knock of 125 not out. With the help of two back-to-back 50+ scores, Brevis finished the T20I series as the leading run-scorer with 180 runs in three innings with an average of 90.00. 

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru star AB de Villiers recently expressed curiosity about Rahul Dravid’s sudden exit from Rajasthan Royals, questioning whether there might have been any discontent between the two parties. His comments drew attention as Dravid’s sudden exit turned into a surprising twist in the IPL.

Rahul Dravid had joined Rajasthan Royals as head coach ahead of the 2025 IPL season on a multi-year agreement. With his immense coaching experience and stature as one of India’s most respected cricketing minds, the move was seen as a major boost for the franchise, raising hopes of long-term progress and stability.

However, Rajasthan Royals announced Dravid’s exit after just one season. The official statement revealed that the franchise had offered him a “broader role” within their structure, but the former Indian coach turned it down. This decision left fans and cricket experts speculating about the real reasons behind his brief stint.

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AB de Villiers Expresses Curiosity About Rahul Dravid’s Sudden Exit:

The first-ever IPL champions had a disappointing campaign this season, managing just four victories from 14 matches and ending ninth on the table. Reflecting on Rahul Dravid’s unexpected exit from Rajasthan Royals, AB de Villiers shared his thoughts on the matter during a discussion on his YouTube channel, sparking curiosity among fans.

ABD said, “ It sounds to me like it was an owner's call, a management kind of call. They gave him an option to have a broader role in the team, which he turned down. Maybe he was upset and he wanted to still be involved in that dugout.”

He further said, “ Maybe it was his call. But Rahul leaves big footsteps behind and big shoes to fill. He is a larger than life kind of character and knows a lot about the game. I personally have spoken to youngsters before, where many speak about him having a huge influence in their careers.” 

He added, “ The coaches and managers in leagues are under pressure to produce results and win trophies. Once they don't, they start hearing from owners. We don't know the facts but given he turned down the other role, maybe he was kicked out, which is never ideal. But maybe Rajasthan have different ideas for the upcoming season. Maybe they want to shake things up a bit and move forward.”

Rahul Dravid led India to the 2024 T20 World Cup win before joining Rajasthan Royals. His move to the IPL franchise came soon after achieving international success, raising expectations for a strong impact in the league.

RR’s 2025 IPL Auction Didn’t Impress Former RCB Player:

AB de Villiers raised questions about Rajasthan Royals’ decisions both before and during the IPL 2025 auction, particularly after the team’s poor outing in the previous season. His remarks highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the franchise’s planning and strategy. Ahead of the auction, RR retained six key players — Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, and Shimron Hetmyer. 

However, the franchise surprised many by parting ways with several big names, including Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal. These moves sparked debate among fans and experts about whether the Royals had taken the right approach in reshaping their squad.

He further said, “ I didn't think they had the greatest auction last time. They let go of some incredible players like Jos Buttler and a few others, which I thought was a mistake. Sometimes it's a good thing but not overly aggressive. You can let one or two go but they let a huge bulk of their team go at once. It should be more gradual.”

From 2022 to 2024, Rajasthan Royals enjoyed notable success, with Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal making significant contributions. The team reached the final in 2022, finishing as runners-up, and managed to secure a playoff spot in 2024, showcasing consistency during that cycle.

The former South Africa captain, Ab de Villiers, who featured in 11 seasons at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), shed light on why he loved batting with the former captain of the franchise. With the former Indian captain, Ab has posted five century stands for the 2025 winners and two double century partnerships, becoming the only pair to post two such stands in the world.

During a podcast, Beard Before Wicket, host Nubai Haroon tried to compare the duo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while the two former spinners of the England side, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, compared them (Virat Kohli and Ab de Villiers) with the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) legends, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor.

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“Amazing. We played the game in a very similar way. Very busy in the crease. Run hard. Really like to get behind the bowlers are likely to do and find ways to attack. There were two huge partnerships between us, one at the Wankhede and one at the Chinnaswamy. Both times felt really good. Moreover, both players were in the form of their lives. That always helps.” The former Protea and RCB batter expressed in that podcast.

Watch: Ab de Villiers shares his thoughts on batting with Virat Kohli in IPL for RCB

Kohli is currently the leading run-getter of the IPL with 8661 runs in 259 innings at an average of nearly 40 and a strike rate of 132.85, thanks to 63 half-centuries and eight centuries at the best score of unbeaten 113 runs.

Q. Virat and you together is like Messi and Ronaldo....What’s it like coming together with Kohli?

Ab de villiers on batting with Virat Kohli: pic.twitter.com/yzs9TdKXEe

— Gaurav (@Melb0urne__82) August 31, 2025

“I always loved batting with him. Very competitive. Looking for the weakness of the bowling attack, and love to take the bowlers down. So, it was nice to be out there with him and have that experience. Loud crowd and absolutely incredible experience with him.” De Villiers reckoned in that video.

Ab de Villiers finished his IPL career for RCB as the eighth highest run-getter of the league with 5162 runs in 170 innings at an average of around 40 and a strike rate of 151.68, with three centuries and 40 fifties at the best score of unbeaten 133 runs.

Former South African skipper AB de Villiers shared his shock over Shreyas Iyer’s omission from India’s squad for the 2025 Asia Cup. Iyer, known for his consistency in the middle order, has been a dependable option for India in limited-overs cricket, making his absence from the upcoming tournament unexpected for many.

Meanwhile, chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the matter while unveiling India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup on Tuesday, August 19. He acknowledged that Iyer was unfortunate to miss out, suggesting that the decision was more about team balance and available options rather than his performance.

The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams, and India’s squad announcement has already sparked discussions among fans and experts. With de Villiers openly voicing his views, the spotlight on Iyer’s exclusion has intensified, raising questions about selection dynamics and India’s batting combinations ahead of the high-stakes continental tournament.

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AB de Villiers Shares His Opinion on Shreyas Iyer’s Absence in Squad:

Shreyas Iyer enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2025 season, amassing 604 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average above 50 and a blazing strike rate of 175.07. Adding to his brilliance, he captained Punjab Kings to the tournament final in his debut season as leader. 

This was a historic achievement for PBKS, as the franchise broke a decade-long drought, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and finishing as runners-up. Just a year earlier, Shreyas Iyer had guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL championship as captain. 

Reflecting on his omission from India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, AB de Villiers shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, expressing surprise that a player with such leadership and batting success was overlooked for the tournament.

He said, “ Who knows what is going on behind closed doors. Maybe not even Shreyas knows. There might be a few things that have taken place over the years that's determined why he is not the flavor of the month this tournament. I am not sure what the reason is because he will be in my team more often than not.”

He further said, “ I just read through that squad and I was thinking where Shreyas Iyer can fit in. I've seen fans being upset about his exclusion and Shreyas will be the most upset because he's played some really good cricket over the last few years. He has matured a lot and has shown a lot of leadership qualities.”

AB de Villiers Also Highlights Another Side of This Exclusion:

AB de Villiers suggested that Shreyas Iyer’s omission from India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad might not be purely based on performance, hinting that other unseen factors could have influenced the selectors’ decision. Despite being a key name in the ODI setup, Iyer has not been a regular feature in T20Is.

The 30-year-old last played a T20I in December 2023. His record in the shortest format is steady but not extraordinary, with 51 appearances yielding an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 136.12. While impressive in parts, these numbers may not have worked in his favor this time.

He further added, “ Thinking about when I was captaining, if there is a 50-50 call between two players, I would always lean towards the guy that offers more from a team perspective off the field. When it's 50-50 on the field, you have to start looking at other areas like 'Does he add value in the team room, does he have a smile on his face, does he uplift some of the other players around him?'. Or is he sort of dragging energy from the squad?”

He concluded, “ Maybe it's got something to do with that. I am just taking a complete guess because it is weird that a quality player like him not making the starting squad for Team India, especially with the leadership qualities he is bringing. Maybe it'll be too much of a clash with him there and maybe there are too many leaders and too many captains. Maybe the truth will come out one day and we'll know why Shreyas is struggling to get into Team India.”

The 2025 Asia Cup is set to kick off in the UAE on September 9. Team India will begin their campaign a day later, facing the host nation in Dubai on September 10. The tournament promises high-intensity cricket as top Asian sides battle for supremacy in the prestigious continental competition.

South African prodigy Dewald Brevis produced a knock for the ages on Tuesday, August 12, lighting up the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin with a breathtaking 41-ball hundred in the second T20I against Australia. At just 22, Brevis became the youngest South African to score a T20I century and the fastest ever against Australia in the format.

Walking in at No.4, Brevis wasted no time announcing his intent. He dispatched Glenn Maxwell for his first six in the seventh over, and later tore into the Aussie all-rounder in the 12th, plundering 23 runs off five balls. Against an attack featuring Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa, Brevis’s range of strokes left the home side helpless as he raced to three figures with eight sixes and nine boundaries. He finished unbeaten on 125 off 56 balls, powering South Africa to 218/7.

His whirlwind effort also made him just the eighth South African man to hit a T20I hundred, joining an elite list that includes David Miller, Quinton de Kock, and Faf du Plessis. Only Miller’s 35-ball blitz against Bangladesh in 2017 has been faster for the Proteas.

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CSK’s Auction Gamble Looks Like a Golden Masterstroke After Brevis’s Record-Breaking Hundred

The innings drew instant praise from AB de Villiers, who couldn’t hide both his admiration and his envy over Brevis’s IPL allegiance. “There was such a golden opportunity for IPL teams to pick up Dewald Brevis at the auction! Missed out badly. CSK either got very lucky or maybe pulled off the biggest masterstroke ever. The boy can play,” de Villiers posted on X.

There was such a golden opportunity for IPL teams to pick up Dewald Brevis at the auction! Missed out badly. CSK either got very lucky, or maybe the biggest master stroke ever👏 The boy can play @BrevisDewald

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 12, 2025

A Royal Challengers Bangalore legend, de Villiers admitted he would have loved to see Brevis in RCB colours, but believes the youngster could be South Africa’s next “360-degree” batting sensation. Brevis, for his part, called it an honour to be compared to his idol but stressed his determination to create his own identity.

Brevis had already impressed in IPL 2025 with Chennai Super Kings, including a match-winning half-century against Gujarat Titans. Now, with a record-breaking T20I hundred against one of the toughest bowling attacks in the game, he has made it clear that his rise is only beginning. If CSK’s decision to sign him was seen as a gamble at the auction, it’s looking more and more like the kind of move that could define a season – and maybe an era.

South African cricketing great AB de Villiers has gone on record to hail the emerging star Dewald Brevis as a legitimate possibility to be the next "Mr. 360°" in world cricket, a strong endorsement! Talking to Indian YouTuber Shubhankar Mishra, de Villiers mentioned Brevis' fearless outlook and expansive shot-making as reasons he believes the young gun can follow his path.

“From South Africa, I would say Dewald Brevis (who could become the next 360-degree player in the game). He has the number 17 on the back. He plays a similar kind of cricket, very attacking, and still has a lot to learn,” said de Villiers. De Villiers, who spent 11 seasons as a fan-favorite at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), couldn’t resist joking about Brevis’ current IPL association with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). “Yeah, it's a shame he's playing for CSK and not RCB, but that can still change, never say never,” he smiled.

Brevis’ Growing Credentials

Now 22, Dewald Brevis made his international debut for South Africa in August 2023 and has already represented the Proteas in two Tests and seven T20Is. Though he’s yet to debut in ODIs, he has featured in 25 List A games and continues to impress across formats.

In IPL 2025, Brevis was picked up by CSK as a injury replacement for Gurjapneet Singh, Believing there would be more opportunities for him after the mega auction in Jeddah when he went unsold, Brevis took advantage of the opportunity and made a good impact scoring 225 runs off six matches at an amazing strike rate of 180, and two destructive fifties his best came against the Gujarat Titans with 57 runs scored at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Despite his individual brilliance, CSK endured a rare off-season, winning just four games out of 14 and finishing last in the table, their worst-ever IPL campaign.

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Brevis’ Recent International Form

Brevis was part of South Africa’s squad in the recently concluded Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Nation Series. In six matches, he crossed the 30-run mark four times, striking at an impressive rate of 187.32, reinforcing his credentials as a modern T20 powerhouse. He is set to feature next in South Africa’s white-ball series against Australia starting August 10 in Darwin, which includes three T20Is followed by three ODIs.

Praise for Suryakumar Yadav and a 14-Year-Old Prodigy

While speaking on the “Mr. 360” mantle, de Villiers also lauded India’s Suryakumar Yadav, calling him the most complete 360-degree batter in the game today. “SKY is already a Mr. 360 in his own right. The way he manipulates the field and plays unconventional shots under pressure is exceptional,” de Villiers said. Looking even further into the future, he named 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi as a player to watch from the next generation. “He’s only 14 years old and still has a lot to learn, but his fearless approach reminds me of the younger me,” ABD noted.

A Changing Game, A Timeless Tag

The “Mr. 360” tag has evolved from an exclusivity of de Villiers and his miraculous strokeplay to every budding version of “Mr. 360” in Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, and more. Given how cricket is continually evolving with inventive shot-making and aggressive mindsets, it seems the torch is ready to be passed over to a new version of "Mr. 360" with de Villiers standing proud, watching from an arm's length away.

AB de Villiers spoke about a big mistake made by the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. In a recent podcast, the former batter was asked about some decisions taken by the Delhi team in the past.

"Both. Imagine both Virat and myself there. But I was very happy to move to RCB. What a great city, what great fans. I think I will be involved with them in the future, but I can’t say when. I would love to coach them one day, but I don’t know yet what role they would want me to take or if I’m ready for it. I just want to keep my relationship with them healthy for the rest of my life," he said.

The African legend played for RCB until the 2021 season. He featured in 157 matches for the team, scoring 4,522 runs at an average of 41.10 and a strike rate of 158.33, with two hundreds. Overall, he scored three IPL hundreds, with his first coming for the Delhi Daredevils in 2009.

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AB de Villiers regrets not winning an IPL title with RCB

RCB reached the IPL final in 2016. They came close to winning but fell short. Despite playing many seasons for the team, AB de Villiers could not win an IPL trophy and regrets it.

"I will always regret that. The 2016 final still hurts because we were so close. I felt we were the better team and should have won. But that’s sport—full of ups and downs and surprises. That’s why fans love it so much," he said.

In the 2016 final, RCB faced SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Bengaluru. SRH batted first and scored 208/7. Virat Kohli (54) and Chris Gayle (76) gave RCB a flying start, adding 114 runs for the first wicket in just 10.3 overs. It looked like RCB would easily chase the target.

However, after Kohli and Gayle got out, the rest of the team collapsed. They ended on 200/7, falling nine runs short of the title. AB de Villiers was the third-highest run-scorer of that season, with 687 runs from 16 matches.

AB de Villiers Shines as South Africa Champions Win WCL 2025

Mr. 360 of cricket rolled back the years with a brilliant performance to lead South Africa Champions to the WCL 2025 title. He was named Player of the Tournament after scoring his third century of the event, an unbeaten knock in the final against Pakistan.

The second season of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 ended in a fabulous manner as the South Africa champions, under their captain Ab de Villiers’ century in the final against the Pakistan champions, lifted their title. Chasing 196 runs, the Proteas crossed the finishing line with 19 balls to spare, as the veteran drilled 12 fours and seven sixes.

However, the most unexpected and hilarious moment of the day came at the end of the clash. Harshit Tomar, the owner of the WCL, was being interviewed by anchor Karishma Kotak when, right at the end of the program, she asked Harshit how he would plan to celebrate the success of the tournament. Tomar’s reply put everyone off guard.

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‘Probably once this is over, I am going to propose to you.’ Tomar said the comment, made on air, stunned the presenter. With an expression of ‘Oh my god.’ She was quick to regain her composure and switched back to her role. The moment has been the talking point on social media, with many views calling the exchange awkward and uncomfortable.

Watch: WCL owner proposed TV presenter after WCL 2025 final as video goes viral

Some of the spectators have criticized the bluntness of Tomar, who put Kotak under the bus in a live telecast. It was the latter’s brilliance to gather her for the moment, put everything aside, and get back to the job. Tomar, soon after the incident, shared a picture of himself with Kotak on social media, to which he captioned a heart emoji.

This is so weird bro 😭 pic.twitter.com/E8gRADq2sT

— Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) August 3, 2025

Pakistan, batting first, smashed 195/5 in their 20 overs as Sharjeel Khan nailed 76 runs in 44 balls with the help of nine boundaries and four sixes. Umar Amin and Asif Ali provided them a vital end to the inning, which lost the pace in the middle overs.

In reply, the Proteas hardly needed to put a sweat as Ab drilled an unbeaten knock of 120 runs in 60 balls, smashing 12 boundaries and seven sixes at a strike rate of 200, while on the other hand, JP Duminy remained unbeaten on 50 runs in 28 balls to complete the successful chase.

The dreams of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans to witness AB de Villiers in RCB colors one last time have been dashed yet again, despite his brilliant performances in the World Championship of Legends 2025 (WCL). The South African icon looked as sharp and elegant as always and led the South Africa Champions to the title with his typical flair and calmness. His resurgence sparked excitement among fans, who hoped for a fairytale return to the IPL.

Following the WCL final, when Shubhankar Mishra asked AB whether he would consider coming out of retirement to play one last IPL season for RCB, the Proteas great ended all speculation. In his usual composed and humble manner, de Villiers explained that while he remains fit and active, the demands of the IPL are simply too intense. He pointed out the Indian Premier League's three-month duration, stressing that it's not just about being in shape—it's about being mentally and physically ready to handle the pressure day in and day out.

“I'll be too nervous, man. I think I'd rather just support; I'm a very good supporter. Yeah, the IPL is just a very long tournament. It's almost a three-month tournament. It is a really big commitment for someone at the age of 41. You can't compare me to Imran Tahir. I work a lot harder. I had a lot more hard work. I think throughout the years,” de Villiers said, making it clear that a comeback would require more than just desire—it would demand full-scale commitment and intense preparation.

“We’re all different”—AB reflects on comparisons, retirement, and moving on

Addressing comparisons with other veteran cricketers like Imran Tahir, who at 46 continues to play in T20 leagues worldwide, AB responded with respect and perspective. “I mean, that's crazy. I'll take my hat to them. That's absolutely amazing. And I mean, you've got to look up to that. But we're all different, and I think that is the beautiful part of the sport—some guys feel they've had enough after the age of 30. Some are only at 40. It depends,” he explained, emphasizing that every athlete’s journey is unique and personal.

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As he signed off, de Villiers looked back at his career with pride and gratitude. “So, I'm just, first of all, thankful that I could actually have a very lengthy career from the age of 20 right through to whenever I retired. I don't even know how long it was. It felt quite long. But I gave it my best shot, and I'm happy.” His words echoed the sentiments of fans who watched him light up the IPL for over a decade, especially for RCB, where he scored 4178 of his 5162 IPL runs, including 3 centuries and 40 fifties. Although not making a return to the field, AB de Villiers will always be a firm icon in the RCB legacy.

The former South African pacer, Dale Steyn, has dropped a shocking statement to put social media on fire. He reckoned that his former captain of the international side, AB de Villiers, would still be better than half of the international players at the IPL. He also wondered if it could be even more than that.

Steyn’s statement comes just the day after South Africa Champions creamed their way to the title of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 by getting the better of the Pakistan side in the chase. As it had been the trend of the competition, Ab de Villiers smashed a fine century in the final to shoulder them over the line.

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De Villiers clubbed an unbeaten knock of 120 runs in 60 deliveries, shouldering on 12 boundaries and seven sixes at a strike rate of nearly 200 in the 197-run chase. That was his third century of the tournament, as he finished at the top of the run-scoring list with 431 runs in six innings at an average of 143.67 and a strike rate of 221.03. The next best in the list, JJ Smuts, had 250 runs less than Ab.

Dale Styen drops fiery statement on Ab de Villiers and IPL internationals

Ab de Villiers, who played the first half of his career with the Delhi capitals before shifting his base to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, earned the success as the eighth leading wicket-taker of the league with the help of 5162 runs in 170 innings at an average of nearly 40 and a strike rate of over 150 with three centuries and 40 half-centuries.

Unpopular/Popular opinion.

Ab is still better than half the internationals at IPL. Maybe even more.

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) August 3, 2025

Steyn played a couple of seasons with Ab for the Bengaluru side in the IPL. His statement perhaps has come given the wicket-keeper took an early retirement from international cricket. Many have also felt that the Pretoria batter would have fired up the leagues around the world.

In his last season of the IPL in 2021, the right-handed batter ended with 313 runs in 14 innings at an average of 31.30 and a strike rate of 148.34 with two half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 76 runs.