Year after year, Mumbai Indians give chances to a youngster and make them superstars. In the first two games of the IPL 2022, they had already given the platform to Tilak Varma, a 19-year-old left-hander who then showcased his class and talent. In the third game, against Kolkata Knight Riders, the 5-time champions unleashed South African Dewald Brevis.
Dewald Brevis had been the talk of the town during the under-19 World Cup earlier this year. Because of his similarities in his stance, batting style, and positions resembling AB de Villiers, he is nicknamed ‘Baby AB’.
When Umesh Yadav dismissed MI skipper Rohit Sharma in the third over of the match, it was expected that the returning Suryakumar Yadav will come out at number 3; instead, it was Dewald Brevis.
Without wasting any more time, the 18-year-old smashed a boundary over mid-on to Rasikh Salam and then to Umesh. The right-hander then clattered his first six in the IPL, to Aussie Test skipper Pat Cummins.
As Dewald Brevis took on a strong KKR bowling attack, fans were left in intrigue by this sensation, Brevis. Here’s some information on the ‘Baby AB’:
Dewald Brevis was just 14 when he was picked for his school’s first team. Coincidentally, it was the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) which is the same school as AB de Villiers and also wears the same number, 17, that the former Protea skipper used to
Brevis’ reputation is not for nothing: he was the Player of the Tournament at the under-19 World Cup having smashed a record 506 runs in six games; he can also bowl handy leg-spin. Impressed by the youngster’s talent and potential, MI got the 18-year-old for a handsome amount of 3 crore at the mega-auction.
Born in April 2003, Dewald Brevis is amongst the youngest players in the IPL.
Apart from de Villiers, he also idolizes Kevin Pietersen – with no surprise he plays in as flamboyant style as KP used to.
In the time off earlier, the youngster had been even mentored by de Villiers. “During lockdown, I contacted him (ABD) and I asked him for some advice and he always made time to reply to me. I like the way he explains cricket. He keeps it simple,” Brevis said.
