Drafted in as a injury replacement for Chennai Super Kings, Dewald Brevis made a strong impression on his franchise debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Showing great touch, Brevis top-scored for CSK with a fluent 42 off 25 balls in what was otherwise a subdued batting display.

Brevis showed exactly why he’s so highly regarded as one of cricket’s brightest young talents, hammering four sixes in his knock — including three in a single over off Kamindu Mendis. Joining a CSK side desperate for a spark in their batting lineup, Brevis’ standout performance at Chepauk is a much-needed boost for a team now sitting at the bottom of the table.

Brevis’ debut caught the eye of Indian legend Anil Kumble, who praised the young South African for his ability to quickly adjust to a challenging pitch.

Kumble said: “His ability to play spin really stood out. Chennai isn’t easy. It’s a two-paced wicket where the odd ball holds up. He’s done it before in South Africa, in first-class cricket, and at the U-19 level, which is how he came into the IPL.”

“He came in as a replacement, wasn’t even part of the squad originally, and that reminds me of how one ‘Universe Boss’ (Chris Gayle) too walked in as a replacement for RCB in 2011 and became an icon,” explained Kumble, referencing how it can often be a blessing in disguise for some teams.