Dewald Brevis reflects on early mistake with KL Rahul’s advice, highlights Sachin-Rohit impact: ‘Had to make decision’
Dewald Brevis arrived in IPL with some big hype and the big Indian players did notice him for his fearless batting approach.
Dewald Brevis’ stock has risen sharply over the past couple of years after a few early setbacks following the Under-19 World Cup. He joined Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022 amid huge hype, earning the ‘Baby AB’ tag for his similarities with AB de Villiers. Opportunities were limited at MI, but the experience proved valuable. Being part of a dressing room with players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, and working under mentors such as Sachin Tendulkar and Mahela Jayawardene, helped shape his game and laid a strong foundation for the future.

Brevis arrived in IPL with some big hype and the big Indian players did notice him for his fearless batting approach. Reflecting on his early IPL days, the Proteas youngster revealed that he didn’t initially follow the advice from KL Rahul about staying true to his game, admitting he strayed from his natural approach before eventually finding his way.
"Even in my young days, I remember KL Rahul told me my first IPL, always be true to yourself. That was his advice. What did I do? I went out, and I wasn't true to myself at the start. But it was a beautiful journey. It has been great," he said on Ashwin's YouTube channel.
“My time at MI really formed who I was”
Looking back on his stint with Mumbai Indians, Brevis spoke about the importance of that phase in shaping him as a player, highlighting how time spent with senior figures like Rohit and mentors helped him make clearer decisions about his game.
"It was important for my journey to have gone through that. My time at MI, three years, really formed who I was. But in that time, I had to make that decision, I had to tell myself that any young cricketer, what is the most important in his life, and that is what all the people adviced me. I did good things, but I knew what I wanted. I have learned a lot in the nets, like spending time with Rohit, Mahela, Sachin Sir, and everyone. I felt like I needed to make decisions about what is good for my game," he stated.
ABOUT THE AUTHORAditya MaheshwariAditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More



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