Life has a strange way of delivering justice. For Dewald Brevis, it came in yellow.
Having set the cricketing world on fire during the ICC U19 World Cup 2022, Brevis was immediately likened to South African legend AB de Villiers.
Dubbed “Baby AB,” he captured imaginations with his fearless batting, 360-degree strokeplay, and a striking resemblance to his idol.
Brevis scored 506 runs in that tournament, breaking Shikhar Dhawan’s long-standing record. He also smashed 18 sixes, setting a new U19 record. The cricketing fraternity took note, and the IPL came calling. For CSK fans, the sight of Dewald Brevis IPL 2025 would remain fresh in their memories.
The IPL Rollercoaster: From Mumbai to Oblivion
Dewald Brevis IPL 2025 wasn’t supposed to happen. At least, not after he went unsold in the 2025 mega auction. Picked by Mumbai Indians in 2022, Brevis scored 161 runs in 7 matches but failed to secure a regular spot in a power-packed line-up.
With form dipping and options increasing, he remained in the shadows, a name fans fondly remembered but franchises avoided. He was overlooked again in 2023 and 2024, causing many to question whether his U19 heroics were one-offs.
But fate intervened in 2025. After Gurpajneet Singh injured himself mid-season, CSK went scouting for a replacement. They found Brevis.
And just like that, he got his golden ticket back to the IPL, this time wearing yellow, with the number 12 on his back—a number gifted by CSK’s management, who signed him on the 12th of the month.
Dewald Brevis IPL 2025: Turning the Tide
Dewald Brevis was the one bright spark in a forgettable season for CSK that ended with just four wins. Brought in mid-season, Brevis played 6 matches and delivered 225 runs at a stunning strike rate of 180. But stats only tell half the story.
Brevis hit 17 sixes in those 6 games, nearly 3 sixes per match. His fearless strokeplay and quick footwork dismantled spin and pace alike. Most importantly, he delivered when it mattered. In two of CSK’s four wins, Brevis was the game-changer.
One of those came against the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he walked in with CSK reeling at 66/5 and slammed a 52 (25), turning the tide single-handedly. The other was against the Gujarat Titans, where he smashed 57* (23) in a finisher role, taking CSK to 230 as they denied GT from finishing in the top 2.
He didn’t just win matches. He electrified a tired, broken middle order.
Middle-Order Makeover: Brevis Brings the Fire
When Brevis entered the CSK playing XI, there was a palpable shift in energy. His presence lifted the tempo. CSK’s middle-order had been struggling to find momentum all season. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s absence and the established players’ inconsistency left a void that needed filling. Brevis did more than fill it; he revolutionized it.
His presence and ability to bat at number 5 allowed the top order the freedom to go harder earlier. It gave Jadeja the liberty to play a pressure absorber role at number 4. Most crucially, it gave bowlers something to think about in the death overs. Dewald Brevis CSK journey in IPL 2025 was not just about runs but about aura. The man who couldn’t find a place a year ago has now become undroppable.
CSK fans, who had spent most of the season drowning in disappointment, clung to Brevis for hope. Their YouTube search history spoke volumes: Brevis batting highlights. Whether it was his momentum-shifting assault against KKR in Vaibhav Arora’s over, taking him on for 30 runs, or the reverse lap for six against Gujarat Titans, Brevis gave them reasons to smile.
Why is Brevis called Baby AB?
Because he moves like him, he thinks like him. And he dares like him.
The moniker “Baby AB” isn’t just a marketing gimmick. It’s rooted in Brevis’ cricketing DNA. From a young age, Dewald Brevis idolized AB de Villiers.
He has spoken multiple times about watching AB’s innings on a loop, mimicking his strokes, and even copying his fitness routines. Brevis trained at the same school as AB, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, and dreamed of replicating the same legacy.
In fact, when asked who he models his game after, Brevis answers without hesitation: “AB, always.”
It’s not just about the unorthodox strokes. It’s the presence. The unpredictability. The fearlessness. In Dewald Brevis IPL 2025, we didn’t just see another exciting batter but glimpses of de Villiers reborn.
That’s why fans and critics alike can’t help but hope he continues on this path. The IPL has seen many stars rise and fall. But very few bring the kind of joy Brevis does.
The Road to Redemption: How Brevis Silenced Critics
Critics questioned his temperament. They said he was too flashy. They doubted his game against spin and dismissed his power game on Indian pitches. But in IPL 2025, Dewal Brevis CSK edition answered every one of them.
He faced spinners like Rashid Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sunil Narine and struck at over 150 against them. His power game didn’t just survive. It thrived. The fact that he did this with minimal preparation and match time showed immense character.
In just 6 games, Brevis transformed the perception around him. From a failed MI pick to one of the most bankable IPL 2025 rising stars.
A Season of Struggles, A Star Emerges
The Rise of Shivam Dube: CSK’s Middle-Order in IPL 2025
Injuries, inconsistency, and underperformance marred CSK’s 2025 campaign. Gaikwad fractured his hand mid-season. Foreign openers Rachin and Conway were not performing. Jadeja had patches of brilliance but couldn’t carry the team alone. The entire middle order failed. Even the usually electric Shivam Dube had to mend his ways at times.
But Dewald Brevis’ CSK signing provided a silver lining. He not only gave fans something to cheer about but also gave the management a fresh headache, in a good way. How do you build a team around a player you didn’t even plan for?
There’s now a sudden problem of plenty at the top. Even someone as impactful as Urvil Patel is struggling to break into the top 12.
What Lies Ahead: CSK’s Vision for Brevis
With 2026 approaching and CSK looking to rebuild after a disappointing season, Brevis is expected to play a key role in their retention strategy. His ability to float across the batting order, play both pace and spin and maintain an elite strike rate makes him indispensable.
CSK is known for backing players with long-term potential, and with Baby AB in their ranks, they’ve found a gem. If managed well, Dewald Brevis CSK version could become what AB de Villiers was to RCB, a franchise cornerstone.
There’s talk already of moving him to number 3 permanently. Some suggest letting him open. Whatever the role, one thing is certain: he will feature. He is now part of the CSK blueprint for the future.
Fan Frenzy: The Brevis Effect
Social media exploded after every Brevis inning. Twitter trends like #BabyAB became regular features. Even opposition fans couldn’t help but admire the audacity and flair he brought to the crease.
His iconic entry in the field, his electrifying fielding, and that calm, laser-focused stare at the bowler before unleashing carnage, all made for perfect TV. Broadcasters repeatedly played his shots in highlight reels. Kids started emulating his inside-out lofts and no-look pulls.
IPL 2025 was a disaster for CSK in the standings but a marketing goldmine thanks to Dewald Brevis.
More Than Just a Comeback
Dewald Brevis CSK signing in IPL 2025 wasn’t just a return. It was a statement. From being unsold to becoming a mainstay, Brevis proved that all he needed was a chance. Once CSK gave him that, he grabbed it with both hands and swung it for six.
With CSK rebuilding and young guns taking over, Brevis stands tall as a beacon of hope. He’s not just Baby AB anymore.
He’s Dewald Brevis. IPL’s new firestarter.
