Chennai Super Kings (CSK) immediately addressed the discussion surrounding the mid-season signing of South Africa’s Dewald Brevis during the 2025 IPL. The franchise released a statement on Saturday, confirming that the deal was in total alignment with tournament regulations, following the remarks made by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel. Ashwin had suggested that CSK might have exceeded the permitted financial limit for the young batsman.
Brevis, the 21-year-old batsman, also known as “Baby AB” because of his similar playing style to AB de Villiers, was one of the significant mid-season acquisitions. After going unsold at the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, he joined CSK in April, replacing the injured pacer Gurjapneet Singh, who had been signed for Rs 2.2 crore.
Ashwin’s observations generated debate. On his channel, Ashwin expressed his perspective on 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 noted.
These comments sparked questions, with fans speculating whether CSK had violated rules by paying Brevis more than Gurjapneet’s original auction price.
However, CSK categorically denied any breach. In a detailed statement, the franchise made it clear:
Brevis was signed for Rs 2.2 crore, matching Gurjapneet Singh’s auction contract value.
The signing fully complied with clause 6.6 of the IPL Player Regulations 2025–27, concerning replacement players.
The IPL itself issued a media advisory on April 18, confirming Brevis’ signing under these conditions.
The statement emphasized that all procedures were transparent and endorsed by the league authorities.
According to IPL regulations, a replacement player cannot be signed for a fee exceeding that of the player being replaced. In Brevis’s case, the cap was Rs 2.2 crore. Additionally, regulations state that when a replacement is signed mid-season, the player’s actual earnings are adjusted in proportion to the matches played before registration. This ensures fairness and prevents franchises from using mid-season signings to artificially increase salaries.
While financial discussion took center stage, Brevis’s on-field performance was notable. His fearless batting and innovative shots revitalized CSK’s campaign during IPL 2025. For him, the move was intended to provide exposure and bolster his position for the 2026 mega auction.
The clarification by CSK was intended to both safeguard its reputation and affirm the contract value of Brevis. The franchise has long valued professionalism and adherence to the rules. With the support of the league, the issue now appears settled.
Ashwin’s remarks also underscored how mid-season signings can be used by players to raise their market value before upcoming auctions. In Brevis’s case, this strategy might already be proving successful.
In conclusion, Dewald Brevis has once again shown why he is a cricketer to watch, on and off the field.