By Swapneel Deshpande 27 May 2025, 13:29 IST
In a heartfelt social media post, Dewald Brevis, the 22-year-old South African batting sensation, shared an emotional farewell note with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) family after the conclusion of the IPL 2025 season.
Though CSK endured a forgettable season — finishing bottom of the table with just four wins in 14 games — Brevis’ presence was one of the few bright spots for the five-time champions.
Signed mid-season as an injury replacement for Gurjapneet Singh, Brevis made an instant impact. He amassed 225 runs in six matches, striking at a staggering 180 while averaging 37.50 — numbers that injected fresh momentum into a struggling CSK batting lineup.
Having gone unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction despite a promising SA20 season, where he scored 291 runs in 12 matches for MI Cape Town, Brevis found a second wind in yellow.
In his farewell post, Brevis wrote:
“Thank you to Chennai management, coaches, and everyone involved for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to do what I love — playing cricket.
A special thank you to my teammates for making me feel welcome from day one. And to all our incredible fans in India, you were amazing. The atmosphere and support at Chepauk were unforgettable. I hope to be back soon.”
He also shared a touching photo with MS Dhoni, who returned to lead CSK in the latter half of the season following Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury. The image, clicked inside the CSK dressing room, quickly went viral.
Brevis’ innings often came in pressure situations, where his aggressive strokeplay lifted CSK out of difficult positions. His ability to counterattack against spin and pace alike offered glimpses of the talent that once earned him the nickname “Baby AB”.
CSK’s recruitment strategy was questioned at the start of the season, but the signings of Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, and Urvil Patel as replacements gave the team a much-needed shot of youth and energy.
Despite the disappointing overall campaign, Brevis’ form — and his connection with fans — could make a compelling case for retention ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Sources suggest CSK are open to retaining the young trio.
While Dhoni’s surprise return lifted spirits midway through the season, the franchise still struggled to find momentum. The 2025 edition marked the first time in CSK history they finished at the bottom of the table — a bitter pill for their loyal fan base.
With MS Dhoni’s future once again under the spotlight, and the core ageing, CSK may be headed for a rebuilding phase — and Dewald Brevis could very well be a key pillar of that future.
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