R Ashwin.
Credit: Reuters File Photo
Chennai: Senior spinner R Ashwin has clarified his statement about the signing of Dewald Brevis by Chennai Super Kings, asserting that his focal point was the South African’s batting performance and not the price at which he was acquired midway through IPL 2025.
A controversy erupted when Ashwin, currently in the CSK roster, hinted in his YouTube channel that the five-time IPL champions were willing to pay “extra” to avail Brevis’ services. His comments forced the IPL franchise to issue a clarification.
“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 and if there is anything wrong, it won’t be ratified,” said Ashwin in his YouTube channel.
To underline his point, Ashwin termed Brevis a “special talent.” “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,” he added.
CSK issued a clarification on Saturday after Ashwin’s statement about that particular signing made headlines. The franchise said the signing process of the South African batter was in "complete compliance with the rules and regulations" of the league.
“Chennai Super Kings categorically clarifies that all actions taken by the franchise during the signing process of Dewald Brevis as a Replacement Player during TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 were in complete compliance with the rules and regulations of IPL,” the CSK said in a statement.
“In April, 2025, Dewald Brevis was signed for a league fee of INR 2.2 Cr as a replacement player for the injured Gurjapneet Singh, who was picked up at the IPL 2025 Player Auction held at Abadi AI Johar Arena, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for a price of INR 2.2 Cr,” the statement further added.
Ashwin then went on to describe the need to issue a clarification on his earlier statement.
“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,” Ashwin noted.
The former India spinner again stressed his point about the signing of Brevis, terming it a “mind boggling” feat by the CSK.
“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 said.