CSK signed Dewald Brevis as injury replacement in mid IPL 2025 tournament.
Brevis was not picked in the IPL 2025 mega auction and was signed by CSK to replace Gurjapneet Singh due to an injury in the middle of the tournament.
After Ashwin claimed that the franchise paid the South Africa batter, whose base price in the super auction was INR 75 lakh, an "extra" sum, the five-time winners released a formal statement.
Following Ashwin's comments and the reaction on social media, CSK stated that proper protocol was followed, and Brevis was signed while keeping all norms and regulations in mind. CSK signed Gurjapneet for INR 2.20 crore, while the same sum was paid to Brevis after the bowler was ruled out of the IPL 2025 season.
Ashwin has finally clarified his words, claiming that he never mentioned any misconduct and only expressed facts. However, his comments were blown out of proportion, and something else was misinterpreted.
“I just want to say this. I focus more on cricket than on the chatter on social media. We make videos on YouTube to give our opinions. People who watch our videos don't do any wrongdoing. However, those who don't watch can twist the statements according to their whims and fancies. In today's world, news can be made based on one statement or headline,” Ashwin said on his channel ‘Ash Ki Baat.’
“The way Brevis is batting, CSK has struck gold. The decision to bring him on board is very good. The franchise has struck gold during the purple patch of Dewald Brevis. He has been batting really well; he hits big sixes. Power-striker, monstrous hitter against spin,” he added.
Reacting to CSK's official statement, Ashwin said that the franchise clarified the situation because many people had doubts about Brevis's signing price of INR 2.20 crore.
“In today's time, there is a need to clarify the right things as well. There is no mistake by anyone; clarification on this matter has arisen from the fact that a lot of people have doubts. The fact is that no mistake has been made by the franchise, the player, and the governing body,” said Ashwin.
“One must understand that when a franchise wants a player, they talk to the latter and their agent. The franchise then tells the BCCI about a player getting injured and a replacement player coming in. If there is anything wrong in the process, that player would not play for the franchise,” he added.
Dewald Brevis has truly taken to international cricket in the right way, slamming his maiden T20I century against Australia in the second match of the three-game series. In the third T20I, he backed it up with a half-century.
“My intent in the old video was to talk about Brevis' batting, not about his IPL signing amount. We have to understand that every player who plays in the IPL has a contract with the franchise and the tournament. The franchise and the IPL have a binding contract. If there is anything wrong, it won't be ratified.
Injury replacements are very common in the IPL. It is about how you go about the rule flexibility. That is the point. If you are a CSK and South Africa fan, then it is time to be extremely excited about Brevis. He is a special talent,” Ashwin concluded.