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Dewald Brevis A Baby AB de Villiers
Dewald Brevis, a name that has captured attention across cricketing nations, continues to grow from a promising youngster to a world-stage performer. Born on April 29, 2003, in Johannesburg, Brevis, now aged 21 years and 361 days, has shown that his journey is only getting started. Fondly nicknamed “Baby AB” due to his batting resemblance to the great AB de Villiers, Brevis is carving his own identity through impactful performances across formats and leagues.
Dewald Brevis: Baby AB
One of the most captivating aspects of Brevis’ rise has been the inevitable comparison to AB de Villiers, South Africa’s legendary batter. Nicknamed “Baby AB,” Brevis mirrors de Villiers not just in his attacking instincts, but also in his 360-degree range of shots and calm demeanor at the crease. The similarity in technique, innovation, and composure has made this comparison a natural one among cricket fans and commentators alike.
In fact, during the 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup, Brevis topped the tournament’s run charts and further solidified his reputation. His performances, marked by audacious strokeplay and an aggressive mindset, echoed the spirit of de Villiers and highlighted why so many believe he is destined for greatness.
While Dewald humbly acknowledges the nickname, he emphasizes carving his own identity: “I love the way AB plays, but I want to be the best version of Dewald Brevis,” he once said. Nevertheless, the legacy of “Baby AB” continues to follow and inspire him.
Early Life and Cricketing Journey
Raised in Johannesburg and educated at Hennopspark, Brevis’ cricketing talent was evident from an early age. His strong performances at the youth level, particularly with South Africa Under-19s, showcased his natural flair with the bat and handy skills as a legbreak bowler. His style – aggressive yet technically sound – caught the eye of scouts, experts, and fans alike.
Brevis’ playing role has consistently been that of a Batting Allrounder, providing his teams not only crucial runs but also occasional breakthroughs with the ball. His early exposure to competitive cricket set the platform for an exciting career ahead.
Franchise Journey Across the World
Dewald Brevis’ dynamic career has already taken him across the globe. Starting from Northerns Under-13s, he quickly rose to represent notable teams like Titans in South Africa’s domestic cricket and expanded into major T20 leagues.
He first made headlines internationally with the Mumbai Indians during the Indian Premier League (IPL). Representing Mumbai Indians, Brevis played 11 matches, scoring 230 runs at a strike rate of 133.72. His aggressive approach, characterized by clean hitting and innovative stroke play, made him an instant crowd favorite. Later, he also became part of MI Cape Town in the SA20 league and MI New York in the Major League Cricket (MLC).
Adding to his list, Brevis also turned up for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and most recently, signed with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2025 as a replacement for the injured Gurjapneet Singh. His CSK deal, valued at INR 2.2 crore, reflects his growing reputation.
Teams Dewald Brevis has represented so far include:
- South Africa (national and Under-19)
- Mumbai Indians (IPL)
- MI Cape Town (SA20)
- MI New York (MLC)
- Titans
- Chennai Super Kings (IPL)
- New York Strikers
- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (CPL)
- Samp Army
Such varied exposure, at a young age, has not only polished his skills but also toughened his mentality to perform under pressure.
International Career
Dewald Brevis made his T20I debut for South Africa against Australia on August 30, 2023, at Durban. While he has only featured in two T20 Internationals so far, scoring 5 runs across two innings, his potential remains unquestioned. His natural aggressive instincts make him a valuable asset in South Africa’s future white-ball plans.
In the longer format, Brevis has made significant contributions in First-Class (FC) cricket, playing 20 matches and amassing 1322 runs at an impressive average of 41.31, including 4 centuries and 6 fifties. His highest FC score is 159, underlining his ability to play long innings.
Dewald Brevis: T20 Specialist
While Brevis is steadily building his FC and List A resume, T20 remains the format where he has truly exploded. Over 81 T20 matches, Brevis has scored 1787 runs with a high score of 162, maintaining a healthy strike rate of 144.93.
His T20 performances at a glance:
- IPL (Mumbai Indians, CSK): 230 runs in 11 matches
- SA20 (MI Cape Town): 676 runs in 32 matches
- MLC (MI New York): 250 runs in 9 matches
- CPL (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots): 125 runs in 9 matches
His ability to accelerate, adapt to conditions, and handle spinners and pacers alike makes him one of the most exciting young talents in T20 cricket.
In bowling, although used sparingly, Brevis has shown effectiveness, especially in SA20, where he has taken 4 wickets in 5 innings with an excellent bowling average of 14.25.
Recent Performances
Brevis’ recent First-Class form is particularly noteworthy. In 2025, playing for the Titans, he scored:
- 148 runs vs North West
- 80 runs vs Boland
- 99 runs vs Western Province
Such performances in the longer format point towards a cricketer maturing beyond just T20 exploits.
Additionally, he played a key role in helping MI Cape Town secure the SA20 glory in February 2025. His contributions, both with the bat and energy in the field, were decisive during the title run.
Style of Play and Comparisons
Brevis’ style – fearless batting, range of strokes, power-hitting combined with good fielding – draws obvious comparisons to AB de Villiers. However, Dewald has repeatedly expressed a desire to create his own legacy rather than live under constant comparisons.
His batting is marked by inventive strokeplay – reverse sweeps, scoops, lofted drives – while his strong wrists allow him to generate significant power even from balls outside off-stump. As a bowler, he uses variations in flight and pace effectively, although he remains more of a part-time option currently.
Future Prospects
Still only 21, Brevis’ journey is just beginning. His signing by CSK in 2025 could open a new chapter in his IPL career, offering him more opportunities to showcase his talents under a different setup. Moreover, his stint with Hampshire for the T20 Blast and availability for County Championship games in England in 2025 means he will gain crucial experience in English conditions.
South Africa’s selectors are keeping a keen eye on his development, especially with multiple global tournaments like the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy approaching.
If managed well, Dewald Brevis could soon become a mainstay across South Africa’s white-ball sides and eventually, a key figure in the Test setup too.
Conclusion
Dewald Brevis embodies the new era of cricket – aggressive, versatile, and fearless. With experiences across multiple leagues, promising FC numbers, and an eagerness to learn and adapt, he stands as a beacon for South Africa’s cricketing future.
From the fields of Johannesburg to stadiums across the world, Brevis’ journey is a reminder that the game is always evolving – and stars like him are leading the way.
The world will certainly hear more of Dewald Brevis in the years to come.
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