Chennai Super Kings (CSK) face a daunting challenge in the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) with their captain and linchpin opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad, sidelined by an elbow fracture. Gaikwad’s absence leaves a gaping hole at the top of the order for CSK.
With MS Dhoni stepping back into the captaincy role, the franchise is searching for a replacement who can ignite their campaign. Among the contenders, South Africa’s Dewald Brevis stands out as a tantalizing option, with his explosive batting making him a frontrunner.
Brevis burst onto the global stage at the 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup, where he shattered records by amassing 506 runs in six matches, the highest in a single U-19 World Cup edition, surpassing Shikhar Dhawan’s 505. With two centuries and three fifties, he was named Player of the Tournament.
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In franchise cricket, Brevis has been a Mumbai Indians (MI) mainstay since 2022, scoring 230 runs in 10 IPL matches at a strike rate of 133.7 with a best of 49 runs off 25 balls against Punjab Kings (PBKS). His SA20 2025 stint with MI Cape Town yielded 291 runs in 2024 at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of around 184.
Brevis debuted for South Africa in T20Is against Australia in 2023. In two matches, he amassed only five runs.
Also read: MS Dhoni to captain CSK for remainder of IPL 2025, Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out with injury
Why is Dewald Brevis the Best Option to Replace Ruturaj Gaikwad for CSK in IPL 2025?
Brevis' aggressive batting and 360-degree shot-making make him an ideal replacement for Gaikwad’s role as a top-order enforcer. His ability to switch gears suits CSK’s need for a versatile batter who can adapt to different conditions. CSK is lacking firepower in their batting unit, and Brevis’ addition can provide a solution to this.
With an overseas slot available, the South African can open alongside Devon Conway or Rachin Ravindra. His three IPL seasons with MI, though inconsistent, provide valuable experience, and Dhoni’s mentorship could unlock the consistency that has occasionally eluded him.Â
Other Options for CSK
CSK is also eyeing domestic prospects like Ayush Mhatre and R. Smaran to bolster their batting. Mhatre, a 17-year-old Mumbai opener, smashed 458 runs in seven Vijay Hazare Trophy matches in 2024, averaging 65.43, ending as Mumbai’s top scorer. His fearless stroke play and recent trial with CSK hint at bright chances of an IPL call-up.Â
Ravichandran Smaran, a Karnataka batter, has been gaining limelight among cricket aficionados. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, the southpaw hammered 170 runs at a strike rate of 212.50. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, Smaran was the second-highest run-scorer for Karnataka. In seven innings, he accumulated 433 runs, including a fifty and a century in the semi-final and the final, respectively.
Prithvi Shaw, the most seasoned of the trio, brings 1,892 IPL runs at a strike rate of 147.47 across 79 matches. Despite his undeniable talent, Shaw’s recent struggles led to him going unsold at the 2025 auction. His fitness issues make him a riskier option, but his impact cannot be taken lightly. He has experience by his side, and the way CSK operates, Shaw can be an ideal replacement option for them.
CSK will play their next match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 11 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. They are currently placed ninth on the IPL 2025 points table after winning just one of their five matches.
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