Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has sounded an upbeat note on Dewald Brevis’ comeback, saying the franchise has managed his side-strain recovery carefully and is now aiming to have him ready for the next match. Brevis missed CSK’s opening three IPL 2026 games with a strain issue, a disruption that has affected the team’s rhythm early in the season. With a five-day window before CSK face Delhi Capitals on April 11 in Chennai, Fleming believes the timing could work in Brevis’ favour.
Brevis’ recovery timeline and CSK’s next test
Brevis was sidelined for the first three matches of IPL 2026 because of a side strain. Fleming said CSK have deliberately taken a cautious route with his return, while also pointing to the extra practice time offered by the gap between fixtures.
“We hope he [Dewald Brevis] is going to be right for the next game. We have five days between the next game. We have been conservative, and hopefully, these next five days will go as well as we have planned, and he is ready to go. It’s a big loss, but we are looking forward to getting him back,” Fleming said.
Why Brevis’ absence has mattered
CSK have certainly felt the impact of Brevis missing their early matches, having suffered losses in their first three outings. Brevis joined the franchise as a replacement in IPL 2025 and had been one of the few bright sparks in a difficult campaign, registering 225 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 180, including 17 sixes.
CSK retained Brevis ahead of this season and planned to use him in the middle order once he was fully fit. Fleming’s comments suggest that those plans could now be back on track, with early signs of progress already visible.
- Brevis was ruled out of the first three IPL 2026 matches due to a side strain.
- He had produced 225 runs in six IPL 2025 innings at a strike rate of 180, with 17 maximums.
- CSK retained him for IPL 2026 with a plan to slot him into the middle order when fully recovered.
Net work, throwdowns and Fleming’s read on CSK’s latest loss
Before CSK’s contest against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Brevis spent time batting in the nets and worked with throwdowns from assistant coach Rajiv Kumar, hinting that his return could be approaching. Fleming also assessed CSK’s most recent defeat, explaining that a strong start failed to carry through and that the decisive momentum shift came in the closing phase of the innings.
RCB posted a formidable total of 250 for 3, with Tim David striking a match-defining unbeaten 70 off just 25 balls. Devdutt Padikkal and captain Rajat Patidar also contributed in meaningful ways, helping RCB build pressure and set a demanding chase.
Fleming pinpointed David’s acceleration as the moment CSK lost their grip. “The real turning point was the Tim David in the back end, the acceleration he did through the last sort of five overs,” he said.
- RCB scored 250 for 3, with Tim David finishing unbeaten on 70 off 25 balls.
- Devdutt Padikkal and captain Rajat Patidar made impactful contributions.
- Fleming identified the late-innings burst from Tim David across the final overs as the key turning point.
CSK’s missed chances and the effect on their batting shape
Fleming felt CSK had opportunities earlier in RCB’s innings but couldn’t take enough wickets, allowing the game to slip away. He added that losing control at the death also influenced CSK’s approach with the bat, as the side struggled to maintain its shape during the chase.
“Some good things early on, we created some chances. We unfortunately just couldn’t get a couple more wickets for our efforts, and then we hung in, and then unfortunately just lost our shape in the back end. It was a good wicket, and I think if we’d just been able to hold our nerve and execute a bit better, 210, 220 would have been in our grasp. But we just got a little bit shell-shocked and that flowed through into the early parts of batting as well,” Fleming explained.
CSK fall short again as they chase 250
Despite fighting knocks from Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Veer and Jamie Overton, CSK could not bridge the gap and were bowled out for 207, falling short of the target. The defeat marked their third consecutive loss, leaving them with plenty to fix as they prepare for their next assignment.
- CSK were restricted to 207 all out, despite contributions from Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Veer and Jamie Overton.
- The loss extended CSK’s losing run to three straight matches.
With Brevis closing in on a return and the lessons from recent setbacks fresh in mind, CSK will look to reset quickly ahead of their next match when they take the field again.
