3 Reasons Why CSK Decided To Bring In Dewald Brevis As Replacement Player

Anurag Dasgupta

Why CSK roped in Brevis [Source: @ipl/x.com] Why CSK roped in Brevis [Source: @ipl/x.com]

The inevitable happened and the Chennai Super Kings decided to bring in "Baby AB", South Afridan star, Dewald Brevis in their setup for the remainder of the IPL 2025 season. The Proteas player came in as a replacement for Gurjapneet Singh and is likely to make his CSK debut in the next match.

But the big question arises, why have they roped in Brevis for the remainder of the season? Plus, where will he play in the batting order?.

1) Middle order needs strengthening

This season, CSK's main problem has been their middle order batting woes. Without injured Ruturaj Gaiwkad, the batting looks weak and their best batter, MS Dhoni comes way down the order. The likes of Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar and others have simply not put up a brilliant show and that has affected CSK's campaign.

Criterion
Shivam Dube
Rahul Tripathi
Vijay Shankar
Matches755
Runs18055118
Average3611.0039.33
Strike rate128.5796.49129.67

(Numbers of Dube, Tripathi, Shankar)

The numbers of CSK's middle order batters doesn't look promising and that is the main reason the team decided to rope in a reliable batter in Brevis. Just 180, 55, and 118 runs scored by their three main CSK middle order batters and this is a cause of worry.

2) CSK needs an explosive batter in their ranks

Not only runs, but the batting also lacks firepower and a batter willing to accelerate. None of the batters have a strike-rate of above 140, and it has led to their downfall.

Brevis, the explosive batter has a strike-rate of 144.93 in T20s and this is the main reason why MS Dhoni's team bought Brevis for the remainder of the season. CSK's best batter in terms of strike rate of 158.54, but since he bats well down the order, his abilities aren't maximised.

3) Unreliable opening pair

The Kiwi opening duo of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra have been unreliable and this has dented CSK off a good start.

Criterion
Rachin Ravindra
Devon Conway
Matches73
Runs18694
Average31.0031.33
Strike rate132.86127.03

(Conway, Ravindra IPL 2025 numbers)

As the numbers tell the story, both Conway and Ravindra have not given a flying-start as their strike rates hover around 127 and 132 respectively. The opposition bowlers create a lot of pressure and this puts the other CSK batters under trouble. Brevis, apart from batting in middle order can also open the innings and CSK need an explosive opener who can give a quick-fire start. Thus, don't be surprised if in the next match, the Proteas batter decides to open.