The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) responded decisively to discussions surrounding the inclusion of Dewald Brevis, the South African player, during the IPL 2025 season. On Saturday, the franchise issued a statement confirming the deal’s complete adherence to tournament rules, following comments from Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel. Ashwin had suggested CSK potentially overpaid for the young cricketer.
Brevis, the 21-year-old batsman, also known as “Baby AB” for his similarities to AB de Villiers, was a significant mid-season addition. After not being sold at the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, he joined CSK in April, replacing Gurjapneet Singh, an injured pacer who had been signed for Rs 2.2 crore.
Ashwin’s observations created debate. On his channel, Ashwin shared his understanding of the Brevis deal: “I even heard that two-three teams were also talking to him but they had to let him go after not being able to pay extra money. His concept would have been, ‘If I play this season, my value (for the next auction) will go higher’. So he might have told CSK, ‘I’ll need the extra money’. And the team was willing to pay him extra, which is why he came in,” Ashwin said.
These remarks initiated speculation. Fans debated whether CSK had broken the rules by offering Brevis a higher fee than Gurjapneet’s original price.
However, CSK denied any wrongdoing. In a detailed statement, the franchise clarified:
Brevis was signed for Rs 2.2 crore, the same as Gurjapneet Singh’s auction price.
The signing strictly followed clause 6.6 of the IPL Player Regulations 2025–27 concerning replacement players.
The IPL issued a media advisory on April 18 confirming Brevis’ signing under these terms.
The statement emphasized the transparency of all processes, with league authorities’ approval.
According to IPL regulations, a replacement player’s fee cannot exceed the replaced player’s fee. Brevis’s cap was INR 2.2 crore. Also, a replacement player’s earnings are reduced proportionately to the matches already played before registration. This ensures fairness and prevents salary inflation via mid-season signings.
While financial discussions dominated, Brevis’s performance on the field stood out. His fearless batting injected energy into CSK’s IPL 2025. For him, the move aimed at greater exposure and enhancing his position for the 2026 mega auction.
CSK’s clarification aimed to protect its reputation and confirm Brevis’s contract value. The franchise has always prioritized professionalism. With league backing, the matter is considered resolved.
Ashwin’s comments highlighted how mid-season signings can be used by players to boost their market value before auctions. In Brevis’s case, this strategy may be working.
Ultimately, Dewald Brevis continues to impress, both on and off the field.