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Ashwin Breaks Silence Over Brevis Controversy After CSK Statement
Follow UsThe controversy surrounding Brevis' signing has taken over the internet over the last couple of days
It is not often that an IPL franchise offers clarification over the legality of signing a player, but Chennai Super Kings (CSK) did just that on August 16 (Saturday), putting out an official statement to clear the air over how they signed Dewald Brevis.
Coincidentally or otherwise, CSK’s statement came just days after their player Ravichandran Ashwin had said on YouTube that the franchise had paid ‘extra cash’ to secure Brevis, something others weren’t willing to do. Ashwin likely was referring to how CSK paid more than Brevis’ auction price to secure his services — a completely normal practice — but his comments were taken out of context, and were used as a stick to beat the franchise.
The tables turned yesterday, however, as CSK’s statement was seen by many as a direct response to Ashwin. Post CSK’s statement, fans on social media started attacking Ashwin.
Now, Ashwin has finally broken silence over the matter. He clarified the comments he made in a new video, where he claimed that at no point he implied that CSK did anything wrong or illegal.
"I had said in the video that the timing of Dewald Brevis' signing was vera level (next level) for CSK, who closed a deal other teams were incapable of doing,” Ashwin said.
"If people had reported headlines properly, it would have looked something like this: 'CSK's masterstroke signing at the right time'.
"If people had taken time and seen my video, these loose comments would never have come. I have no inside information. A couple of other teams told me after CSK signed Brevis that they wanted to sign him as well. So I understood that others wanted to sign him as well.
"All CSK did was beautifully use the Player Replacement rule in the IPL to sign Brevis. This was a masterstroke."
Ashwin further stated how it was ludicrous that people were implying that CSK did something ‘illegal’.
"If CSK, or any other franchise for that matter, make a mistake, will the IPL Governing Council allow it? What are people even thinking?,” Ashwin said.
It remains to be seen if Ashwin, who was signed for INR 9.75 cr at the mega auction, will be retained ahead of the IPL 2026 season.