Chennai Super Kings starlet Dewald Brevis happy to be a kid playing his own game at IPL
IPL
Chennai Super Kings' Dewald Brevis plays a shot during the Indian Premier League. Picture: R.Satish Babu/AFP
Image: R.Satish Babu/AFP
Dewald Brevis is fast becoming his “own player” after a few sensational innings for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Having long been touted as “Baby AB” for his likeness to former Proteas and IPL legend AB de Villiers, Brevis found a new home this season at the Chepauk Stadium after a couple of disappointing seasons with Mumbai Indians.
The former SA U19 starlet joined midway through this past IPL season as a replacement for Gurjapneet Singh and despite only playing six matches, the 22-year-old blasted 225 runs at a strike rate of 180.
He finished off in style on Sunday with a rapid 57 off just 23 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders.
“It (being compared to AB) has always been a privilege, because AB is someone I look up to,” Brevis said.
“He has helped in improving my game, but I want to be my own player. It's an honour to be compared to him.
“But when I went out there, I always wanted to play for the team. I needed to play an innings like that.
"I am happy, I am enjoying the game, having fun out there.
“Need to be myself, need to be that kid who has always enjoyed the game while playing out there. Need to stay out there and enjoy every moment. I am very grateful for it.”
Brevis has excelled across formats this past season, starting in the Betway SA20 for MI Cape Town, and then for the Titans in both the CSA 4-Day and 1-Day competitions.
He feels that playing more first-class cricket instead of being paraded around in various T20 competitions for the past couple of years has helped his game develop.
“I need to keep playing, that's what everyone has said. People have said that red-ball cricket is the pinnacle,” Brevis said.
“Need to keep playing and do what's right for your game. That plays a key role for batting a long time out there.”
Brevis is not part of the South Africa ‘A’ squad currently touring the West Indies, but will head over to England to play for Hampshire Hawks alongside fellow South African batting prospect Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the T20 Blast.