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.

See Also: Major trade update from Sanju Samson ahead of IPL 2026

“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;

I won't know seriously he speaking this ???

Ash " Brevis asked much more money from csk to join , Csk too gived it that's he joined in csk "

Where is professionalism he speaking about team what exchanged 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/XaHgR2Buyv

— S@SSY💛 (@bharathraj1412) August 13, 2025

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.

Jay Jani, a devoted MS Dhoni fan, has tragically passed away following a tractor accident. Jani, who gained attention during the 2024 IPL season after breaching security at the Narendra Modi Stadium to touch Dhoni’s feet, was travelling to his farm in a tractor when the vehicle overturned due to imbalance. Originating from the village Rabarika in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Jani was recognized by many of Dhoni supporters alike, and boasted almost 18,000 followers on Instagram and had a YouTube channel, Dhoni Ashiq Official, with over 13,000 subscribers. 

The person of worship for Jani was MS Dhoni, who had been last on the field in the 2025 IPL season. Under the new retention rules, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) retained him as an uncapped player for ₹4 crore. Dhoni returned as captain mid-season after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury ruled him out after five matches. However, the five-time champions endured a disappointing campaign, struggling to find form and momentum throughout the tournament.

See Also: 'Humare jawaan ghar wapas...' - Harbhajan Singh slams BCCI over India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash 2025

CSK’s poor run saw them finish at the bottom of the points table for the first time in their history, managing only four wins from 14 matches. While the team experienced challenges winning matches, Dhoni made a total contribution of 196 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 135.17. It was great to have Dhoni back at captain, but even he could not prevent one of the worst seasons of any IPL teams, one of the extremely rare poor moments in the otherwise great history of the franchise.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by @prab7at

I have time to decide: MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni has not yet confirmed his plans for the next IPL season, stating that he will decide in December after taking a couple of months to reflect. At 44, the legendary cricketer is still one of the most recognized names in the league. Dhoni holds the record for the most appearances in IPL history with 278 matches and has scored a total of 5,439 runs in his career. Although batting records are impressive, he had an equally good record behind the stumps. He had 201 dismissals, making him one of the all-time greats in IPL history.

"I don't know whether I'll play or not. I have time to decide. I have some time until December, so I'll take another couple of months, and then finally, I can make my decision," MS Dhoni said in a recent interview.

Just after Dewald Brevis’ 56-ball knock of an unbeaten 125 runs against Australia in Darwin, South Africa leveled the series at 1-1. That’s when the former captain of the Protea side, AB de Villiers, came up with a cryptic post where he reckoned that other franchises of the IPL were unlucky not to sign the batter. He also called CSK lucky or a master stroke to get the batter in.

Renowned as ‘Baby Ab’ for his incredible power-hitting, the Johannesburg-born came as a replacement for CSK, which the sources of the franchises, as the Times of India reported, addressed as a bit of a fluke. For the five-time champions, Brevis smashed 225 runs in six innings at an average of 37.50 and a strike rate of 180 with the help of two half-centuries.

See Also: [WATCH] Former Pakistan star comments on Babar Azam's failure during WI vs PAK 2025 ODI series

“We had lost six of the first eight games and knew that our season was gone. And remember, we didn’t get Brevis as a replacement for a batter. He came in for medium-pacer, Gurjapneet Singh. He had seemed a suspect against spin in the first two seasons, and the date didn’t suggest anything special.” The source, as reported by TOI, explained.

Know how CSK planned to sign Dewald Brevis as replacement for IPL 2025

The 22-year-old smacked 230 runs in 10 innings for the Mumbai Indians during the 2022 and 2024 seasons of the Indian Premier League at a strike rate of over 130. He was released by Mumbai, a decision that they now regret, but interestingly, none of the franchises showed interest in the batter during the last mega auction.

“With Ruturaj Gaikwad out with an injury, we were lacking firepower up top, and with no chance to make the play-offs, there was scope to experiment. Bairstow had experience, but by then, we were ready to take a chance with young guns.” The source of the CSK side claimed to TOI.

The final decision was about to be taken between Brevis and Jonny Bairstow. Stephen Fleming, the CSK head coach, wanted to unleash the young player ahead of the England opener, and once MS Dhoni gave the thumbs up, the signing was made. Brevis could become the future of the franchise.

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.

ALSO SEE: [WATCH] Aiden Markram pulls Josh Hazlewood for massive six during AUS vs SA 2nd T20I match

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.

Since the end of the fifth Test of the five-match Test series at Kennington Oval against England, Jasprit Bumrah has faced several criticisms for missing the decider. Many reckoned that due to playing the IPL 2025 for the Mumbai Indians, they were tired by the end of the seven-week tour. Bumrah, as the head coach highlighted, played three Tests at Leeds, Lord’s, and Manchester of the series.

The former batter, Dilip Vengsarkar, has debated around the pacer’s workload. He reckoned that the BCCI, the selectors, and the management could have convinced the franchise to let Bumrah skip the IPL to stay fresh for the red-ball series in England. He felt that had the Ahmedabad-born played all the games, they could have won the series comfortably.

See Also: "Getting hold of..."- Abhishek Nayar comments on challenges of coaching ahead of WPL 2026

“Considering the importance of the India versus England Tests series and his fragile back, Bumrah should have been told by the BCCI, selectors, and the Indian team management to miss IPL-2025. It was very important that we had a fully fit and refreshed Bumrah for this iconic series.” Dilip Vengsarkar expressed in The Times of India.

“Jasprit Bumrah’s back is vulnerable, and we must be cautious with him.”- Dilip Vengsarkar

The Gujarat pacer had an incredible IPL 2025 where he finished with 18 wickets in 12 innings at an average of 17.55 and an economy rate of 6.67, thanks to the best bowling figures of 4/22 in an innings. He finished the England trip with 14 wickets in five innings, including two five-wicket hauls at Leeds and Lord’s.

“If I were the Indian chief selector, I would have convinced Mukesh Ambani (Mumbai Indians owner) and Bumrah that it was important for Bumrah to miss the IPL for the England series, or play a lesser number of matches in the IPL. I’m sure that they would have agreed to do so.” He added during the same interaction.

“You can’t blame Bumrah for missing matches at times. We must remember that Bumrah has undergone back surgery. His back is vulnerable, and we must be cautious with him. You can’t question his commitment to the country. He has given his all whenever he has played for India.” He concluded.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has approved a proposal from the Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) to develop a state-of-the-art sports complex in Surya City, Bommasandra. The highlight of the project will be a massive cricket stadium with a seating capacity of 80,000, making it the second-largest in India after the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which holds 1,32,000 spectators. The new stadium aims to host international matches and offer world-class facilities, boosting Karnataka’s sports infrastructure and providing a major venue for both domestic and global cricketing events.

The ambitious project, estimated at INR 1,650 crore, will be entirely funded by the Karnataka Housing Board without any financial assistance from the state government. It will be spread over 100 acres, offering a comprehensive sports hub for athletes and enthusiasts. The cricket stadium will be designed to meet international standards, with modern amenities for players, officials, and spectators. By developing this facility, the state aims to attract major tournaments and enhance its reputation as a leading sports destination in India.

See Also: Top 5 Rohit Sharma's expensive car collection and price list

In addition to the cricket stadium, the sports complex will cater to both indoor and outdoor disciplines. It will feature facilities for eight indoor and eight outdoor sports, high-end gyms, training centres, swimming pools, and accommodation options such as guest houses and hostels. The complex will also include three-star and five-star hotels and a convention hall capable of hosting large-scale international events. Once completed, the project will serve as a multi-sport and tourism hub, contributing to Karnataka’s economic and sporting growth.

The government will look into shifting the cricket stadium to another location: CM

The decision comes in the wake of the tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations, which claimed 11 lives and injured many. The Justice John Michael Cunha Commission, set up to probe the incident, found the 32,000-capacity stadium on just 17 acres unsuitable for large-scale gatherings. It recommended relocating such events to a larger venue with improved facilities and parking. Since the tragedy, public demand for shifting the stadium to the city’s outskirts has grown significantly.

"The government has not done anything wrong. This incident is saddening, but no misstep was taken by the administration. Legal action has been taken against those found guilty, so there is no question of embarrassment for the government. The government will look into shifting the cricket stadium to another location. Such an unpleasant incident should not happen under any government. Personally, this incident has hurt me and the government," the Karnataka CM said earlier.

MS Dhoni has been a huge and renowned name in Chennai as the fans admire him a lot whenever he turns up in the city. The former Indian captain leads the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has also lifted the trophy five times. A few days ago, he bumped into the city as the crowd went wild whenever he was seen in any place.

MS Dhoni and ‘Coolie’ composer, Anirudh Ravichander, were seen playing Padel at the cricketer’s newly launched Padel Brad, 7Padel. It was a grand soiree during the inauguration of the court, which is located in Palavakkam in ECR (East Coast Road). Anirudh and Chennai Super Kings’ new captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, were also present on the occasion.

See Also: PCB suspends arrested Pakistan player on charges of sexual molestation

A video from the event, and as expected, it went viral around the internet with fans of both the sport and movie were connected to enjoy their superstars’ action in the middle. In the video, Dhoni can be seen giving tips to Anirudh on how to play Padel, a racquet sport.

Watch: MS Dhoni and Anirudh Ravichander playing padel in Chennai court

Dhoni shares a close connection with the city, having been part of the franchise for nearly two decades. On the other hand, Anirudh had a few encounters with the former wicket-keeper batter in the past. Even during the recent season of the IPL, he performed at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk ahead of the franchise’s opening game of the event against the Mumbai Indians.

MS Dhoni and Anirudh Ravichander playing padel together. ❤️pic.twitter.com/Q8e0ckxtcP

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 7, 2025

“I have always said that there is a lot of time for me to decide, but if you are asking about coming back in a yellow jersey, I will always be in a yellow jersey, whether I am playing or not, is a different matter. And CSK, we are together. You know, even for the next 15-20 years (crowd cheers). I hope they don't think I'll be playing for another 15-20 years.” Dhoni expressed during an event.

The former right-handed batter has smashed a total of 5439 runs in 242 innings at a strike rate of 137.45, with the help of 24 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 84 runs. In the previous season, he drilled 196 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of over 135 with the best score of an unbeaten 30 runs.

After seven weeks of incredible red-ball encounters between two competitive sides, the focus has shifted to white-ball cricket. There is no international cricket for India in August as they will enjoy the break before another hectic schedule of the Asia Cup 2025 and the home season. Plenty of T20I stars, who have been away from the limelight, will be back in contention for the tournament.

The Indian selection committee, under Ajit Agarjar, is going to meet in the third week of August to finalize the 15-member squad. Most of the T20I players will keep their spot in the tournament, while a few places are up for grabs. That’s where they will keep an eye on the stars from the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

See Also: Shubman Gill to play in this tournament before home IND vs WI 2025 Test series

Under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, India locked horns with England during the home five-match T20I series. It has been reported that the IPL 2025 winning side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s Krunal Pandya, is expected to return to the squad for the Asia Cup 2025.

RCB star Krunal Pandya expected to return for India in Asia Cup 2025

Krunal Pandya has been part of 19 T20Is to smash 124 runs at an average of 24.80 and a strike rate of over 130, with the best score of unbeaten 26 runs. With the ball, the left-arm spinner has picked up 15 wickets in 19 innings at an average of 36.93 with an economy rate of over eight.

Krunal has an incredible skill of bowling tight overs at any part of the innings, starting from the powerplay to the middle overs and death overs. The southpaw, during the recently concluded IPL 2025, nailed 109 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 126.74 with one half-century on his name besides picking up 17 wickets at an economy rate of just over eight.

If Krunal Pandya comes into the side, it will mean India will have two left-arm spinners alongside Axar Patel. Kuldeep Yadav is expected to retain his place, while the toss-up will be between Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi for the tournament.

The former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, MS Dhoni, has made a shocking revelation about Virat Kohli during a recent event in Chennai. The 44-year-old and Kohli have had a great mutual relationship, which was on the video the latter posted after Dhoni took his international retirement in August five years ago.

The Ranchi-born revealed that Kohli is good at singing, dancing, and mimicry, with a full package of love and entertainment for the game and off the field, especially when he is in the mood. Dhoni and Virat Kohli played for Indian across formats for several years. When the former retired from Test cricket, he passed the captaincy of the red-ball format to the latter, besides doing the same in white-ball cricket.

See Also: Australia announce squads for upcoming men's Australia A tour of India before Ashes 2025/26

“He also sings well. He is a good singer. He is a good dancer. He is good at mimicry. If he is in the mood, he is very, very entertaining.” Dhoni expressed on Kohli when asked to highlight the batter’s nature as the video went viral on social media platforms.

Watch: MS Dhoni makes shocking revelation about Virat Kohli’s talents

The duo helped the Blue Brigade in lifting the trophy during the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. However, they had several instances in the IPL playing for two different franchises. Under Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lifted the trophy five times while Kohli won his maiden title with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the 2025 season.

Looks like everyone’s a fan of Kohli’s mimicry in the dressing room....everyone has a story about it. pic.twitter.com/FSMySgRRlR

— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) August 6, 2025

The last action for both these batters came in the recent IPL season. Dhoni finished with 196 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17, scoring the best score of unbeaten 30 runs. On the other hand, Kohli drilled 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.57, with eight half-centuries.

Kohli is expected to be back for the ODI side during their trip to Australia in November. On the other hand, there are expectations of Dhoni returning to the IPL for the 2026 edition for the Yellow franchise.

The young leg spinner of the Delhi Capitals, Vipraj Nigam, was around some of the global superstars in the dressing room during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. And one of them was KL Rahul, the current Indian opening batter, who came into the franchise in the recent season, shifting his base from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

Vipraj, during a recent conversation with CricXtasy, revealed that KL Rahul was an incredible human being off the field. He looked back at the special knock of the Karnataka-born when he smashed an unbeaten 93 runs in 53 balls to carry them over the line and dropped a savage celebration.

See Also: No Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for ODI World Cup 2027? BCCI to have honest conversation

“Perfect player, especially the innings in Bengaluru and the way he celebrated. He scored a century in Delhi. If you see the entire IPL, in every single IPL game, he would play such shots that seemed to be going on repeat. As a human being, he was very normal, like speaking to us and sitting with us. It never felt like you were sitting with KL Rahul. It never felt like that, whether at the dinner table or breakfast.” Nigam expressed during the podcast.

Watch: Vipraj Nigam describes KL Rahul’s nature during IPL 2025

The 21-year-old leg spinner, who picked up 11 wickets and thumped 142 runs at a strike rate of 179.14, looked back at the moment when Rahul gave him and his friends special treatment while clicking a few pictures with them.

The way Vipraj Nigam described KL Rahul's nature in this interview proves why so many people admire KL Rahul so much as a player and a human being. ❤️🥺🫶pic.twitter.com/WXCFgnk0u7

— KLR (@KLRNation1) August 6, 2025

“In Delhi, a few of my friends came, who insisted on clicking a few photos with KL bhai. So I hesitated to speak it straightaway. Then I texted him on WhatsApp if he could take time and click a few pictures. And he asked me to come to the breakfast table. So, everyone went there and clicked the pictures.” Vipraj Nigam added to the podcast.

A few reports have claimed that Rahul could shift his IPL base from Delhi for the next IPL season. It has been revealed that the Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings are in discussions with the veteran. He had a fantastic campaign in 2025, collecting 539 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of nearly 150 with three fifties and one half-century.