Dewald Brevis says a piece of guidance from MS Dhoni has continued to shape the way he approaches T20 cricket, crediting the Chennai Super Kings icon with teaching him how to separate healthy self-belief from overconfidence. Speaking ahead of IPL action involving CSK, the South African batter also shared why Dhoni’s temperament and approach to the game remain a reference point for younger players, even when the former captain is unavailable due to injury.
Key takeaways
- Brevis credits MS Dhoni with a first-season lesson from his early IPL days in 2022.
- Dhoni’s advice focused on choosing confidence over overconfidence, a principle Brevis still follows.
- Brevis praised Dhoni’s calm demeanour and said he learns by observing him during training and team moments.
- Dhoni has missed IPL 2026 so far because of a calf injury, but Brevis believes CSK still benefits from his presence.
- Brevis described joining CSK as a replacement player as one of the best career calls, citing support from fans and the franchise.
Dhoni’s early lesson still guides Brevis
South Africa’s Dewald Brevis, now part of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025 as a replacement player, revealed that Dhoni’s message arrived during his very first IPL experience. Brevis explained that it was not even in the context of him being at CSK at the time, but the guidance still left a lasting impression.
In his recounting, Brevis said Dhoni drew a clear line between two mental states—overconfidence and confidence—and urged him to side with confidence. Brevis added that this single piece of advice has remained with him over the years and continues to influence his mindset whenever he steps onto the field.
Calm leadership, humility, and an example to follow
Beyond tactics, Brevis highlighted Dhoni’s character. He described Dhoni as calm and grounded, and said he has picked up plenty simply by watching the CSK legend closely during training sessions and while the team is interacting around daily routines.
Brevis noted that when he finds himself in Dhoni’s environment, the takeaway is how naturally Dhoni carries himself—“being himself,” as he put it. He also said that Dhoni’s experience and understanding of the game make him someone most young players look up to.
Dhoni’s calf injury and Brevis on CSK’s benefit
Dhoni has not featured for Chennai in IPL 2026 so far due to a calf injury, but Brevis acknowledged that his influence is still felt within the squad. Brevis admitted that it would have been ideal for Dhoni to play, adding that many supporters would have wished the same.
Even with Dhoni sidelined, Brevis said it is “amazing” to have him around, suggesting that the squad’s day-to-day learning and guidance continues through his presence.
Replacement-player call and a special CSK journey
Brevis also reflected on how joining CSK as a replacement player has turned into a standout choice in his career. He said the reception from fans and the support from the franchise have helped make his journey feel special, and he described the move to Chennai as the best decision he has made in that role.
According to Brevis, his time with the franchise has improved him not only as a cricketer, but also as a person, underlining how the CSK environment has shaped his development since joining the squad.
