The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) swiftly delivered a response to social media comments made by Ravichandran Ashwin. The CSK bowler appeared to suggest that his franchise may have stretched certain rules while signing Dewald Brevis as a replacement.
CSK released a public statement insisting that their acquisition of South African batter Brevis aligns with regulations while denying wrongdoing. Ravichandran Ashwin alleged that CSK may have been willing to pay more money to get Brevis into their lineup mid-season during IPL 2025.
The franchise has now come out to say their acquisition of Brevis complies with the IPL Player Regulations for 2025 – 2027. CSK also denied any illegal payments or rule circumvention during the trade.
“CSK Struck Gold” – Ashwin Appears to Backtrack in Follow-Up Video, Praises CSK’s Signing of Brevis
“Unfortunately, in today’s times, folks can watch smaller videos, read shorter headlines. There is nothing wrong there. Dewald Brevis is a fabulous player, and the way he is batting, CSK has struck gold. Whoever has made the decision they have taken a fabulous decision,” Ashwin said.
No one is at fault – Ashwin alleges in new video
Ashwin went on to clarify that no party is at fault in the Brevis signing as he made attempts to end controversy on the matter:
“The point is the player is not at fault, the franchise is not at fault, and maybe the governing body is also not at fault. All of us need to understand that if a franchise needs a player, the franchise talks to the player or the player’s agent and tells the BCCI, ‘Look, so-and-so player of ours is injured, we need another player. ‘ The matter gets closed there,” he added.
Ashwin downplays controversy over previous comments
Ravi Ashwin made it clear during the new YouTube video that he does not pay attention to the controversy trailing his recent comments about CSK paying extra for Brevis:
“I watch a lot more cricket. I don’t pay too much attention to these things (on the controversy). Nowadays, we make videos, and we give our opinion in these videos. The ones who watch the videos don’t tend to do anything out of the ordinary. The ones who don’t watch the videos can read the statement and twist the story,” he said.
Will Ashwin Play for CSK Again After Making Such Comments?
It is unclear if Ashwin will have any IPL future with the Super Kings after appearing to openly criticise their recruitment strategy. The retired Team India pacer represented CSK at IPL 2025 and was a major part of the squad’s bowling strategy all-season.
However, his recent comments put his immediate franchise future in serious doubt. CSK may decide to release him solely out of spite for attracting unwanted controversy to the currently-struggling franchise.
The Super Kings finished rock bottom at IPL 2025 and may pin their poor performance as an excuse to let Ashwin go. Showing Ashwin the exit door is unlikely to cause any controversy after his recent comments sparked increased attention towards CSK’s trade dealings.
Aakash Chopra Backs Ashwin’s Earlier Comments, Appears to Slam CSK Over Dewald Brevis Signing
Another former Team India cricketer-turned-YouTuber Aakash Chopra has come out to poke holes in CSK’s signing of Dewald Brevis. Chopra alleged that Brevis brought a spark to the franchise’s season when CSK were at their lowest:
“The Chennai Super Kings’ season was going absolutely ordinary. The batters weren’t scoring runs, and people were getting injured. They needed mid-season replacements to either resurrect the season or prepare for the next season. In such a scenario, Dewald Brevis came and shone,” Chopra said.
Ashwin disclosed that Brevis asked for more money – Chopra
Chopra went on to say that CSK bowler Ashwin said Brevis asked for more money, and the franchise may have exploited loopholes to get the mid-season signing a higher pay package:
“He didn’t play the first match, but after that, he batted extremely well and took an incredible catch on the boundary. Ashwin has disclosed that he asked for more money. Is there any provision to give him more money than he should have gotten officially? In such a case, can the purse limit be broken? Is there a loophole there, which Ashwin has highlighted?,” the former cricketer added
“If there was a loophole, you exploited it” – Chopra alleges
Aakash continued by saying there is nothing wrong with players asking for more money. However, he says if there was a salary cap on replacement player wages and CSK pays more than the required amount, then a loophole may have been exploited during the trade:
“Ashwin is saying that players ask for more money, and according to him, the Chennai Super Kings agreed as well. Since Ashwin has said it, I believe Brevis would have asked for more money. In case you have given more than ₹2.20 crore, as it’s a plan for next year, if there was a loophole, you have exploited it,” the ex-cricketer concluded.
