Dewald Brevis Controversy | 'My intent was to ...': Ravichandran Ashwin clears air on CSK’s mid-season IPL signing row

NEW DELHI: Former India spinner and Chennai Super Kings all-rounder R Ashwin has clarified his recent remarks about Dewald Brevis’ mid-season signing, insisting that his focus was purely on the South African’s batting brilliance and not the price tag attached to him.A storm had erupted after Ashwin, on his YouTube channel, suggested that CSK were ready to pay “extra” to rope in Brevis during IPL 2025. The comment led to speculation around the legality of the deal, forcing the franchise to issue an official statement.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“My intent in the old video was to talk about Brevis’ batting, not about his IPL signing amount,” Ashwin said in a fresh clarification.

“We have to understand that every player who plays in the IPL has a contract with the franchise and the tournament. If there is anything wrong, it won’t be ratified. My point was about his batting, not money.”

Calling Brevis a “special talent,” Ashwin underlined that injury replacements were part and parcel of the tournament. “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 noted.

CSK, meanwhile, released a statement reaffirming the legitimacy of the move. “All actions taken by the franchise during the signing process of Dewald Brevis as a Replacement Player during IPL 2025 were in complete compliance with the rules and regulations,” the franchise said. They revealed that Brevis was signed for INR 2.2 crore in April as a replacement for injured pacer Gurjapneet Singh, who was bought for the same amount at the Jeddah auction.Ashwin admitted the need to issue clarifications in today’s media environment. “In today’s time, there is a need to clarify the right things as well. No mistake has been made by the franchise, the player or the governing body,” he said.Ending on a dramatic note, Ashwin hailed CSK’s decision as a “mind-boggling” coup: “The way Brevis is batting, CSK has struck gold. He’s a monstrous hitter against spin, a power-striker, and the franchise has landed him in the middle of a purple patch.”