The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) swiftly responded to questions regarding their mid-season recruitment of South Africa’s Dewald Brevis during the IPL 2025 season. On Saturday, the franchise released a statement, confirming that the agreement adhered entirely to tournament regulations. This followed comments made by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, where he implied that CSK might have paid the young player more than what was permitted.
Brevis, the 21-year-old batter, known as “Baby AB” for his resemblance to AB de Villiers, was one of the key mid-season additions. He was unsold at the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah. However, he joined CSK in April, replacing the injured pacer Gurjapneet Singh, who was signed for Rs 2.2 crore.
Ashwin’s observations sparked a 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 stated.
These remarks triggered speculation, with fans wondering if CSK had violated the rules by offering Brevis a higher fee than Gurjapneet’s original auction price.
CSK, however, denied any such violation. In a comprehensive statement, the franchise clarified:
Brevis was signed for Rs 2.2 crore, matching Gurjapneet Singh’s auction price.
The signing was in strict adherence to clause 6.6 of the IPL Player Regulations 2025–27, which governs replacement players.
The IPL itself released a media advisory on April 18, confirming Brevis’ signing under these exact terms.
The statement highlighted that all procedures were transparent and approved by league officials.
The IPL regulations state a replacement player’s fee cannot surpass the fee of the player being replaced. For Brevis, the limit was INR 2.2 crore. Furthermore, the rules specify that when a replacement is signed mid-season, the player’s actual earnings are reduced in proportion to the matches played prior to their registration. This ensures fairness and prevents teams from using mid-season signings to inflate salaries.
While the financial aspects were widely discussed, Brevis’s performance on the field was remarkable. Known for his bold batting and creative strokeplay, the youngster invigorated CSK’s campaign throughout the latter half of IPL 2025. The move also served Brevis well, aiming to improve his prospects for the 2026 mega auction, where his value is expected to increase.
For CSK, the clarification served to protect their reputation and validate Brevis’s contract value. The franchise has always valued professionalism and adhering to regulations. With the league supporting the signing, the matter now appears closed.
Ashwin’s comments highlighted how mid-season signings can be used by players to increase their market value before upcoming auctions. In Brevis’s case, the strategy might already be working.
As the issue is settled, Dewald Brevis proved his value, on the field and regarding his market value.