Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked a major debate over Chennai Super Kings’ mid-season signing of Dewald Brevis in IPL 2025. The off-spinner claimed that CSK might have agreed to pay Brevis more than the allowed limit for a replacement player, raising concerns about a potential loophole in IPL rules.
After being ignored in the IPL 2024 Mega Auction, Brevis joined CSK on April 18, 2025, as a replacement for Gurjapneet, who was signed for ₹2.2 crore. At the halfway point, CSK had only won two of seven matches, and the Brevis signing brought much-needed stability.
Ashwin’s Statement on Brevis’ Deal
Ashwin, who has hinted at being open to a trade from CSK, revealed details on his YouTube channel.
“I will tell you something. About Brevis. He had a great time last IPL with CSK. In fact, a few teams were talking to him. A few teams left him because of the price. When he was supposed to be signed as a replacement, he was supposed to be signed at the base price. But what happens is you talk to the agents and the player will say, if you give me X amount extra, I will come.”
The IPL rules state a replacement player’s fee cannot exceed that of the player replaced. In this case, the cap was ₹2.2 crore, while Brevis’ base price was ₹75 lakh.
“That happens because the player knows if he is released next season, he will go for good money. So his concept was that, you pay me good money now else I will go for more next year. And CSK were ready to pay him, hence he came. In the back half, the CSK combination was strong. They will go with Rs 30 crore in IPL 2026 mini auction,” Ashwin added.
Aakash Chopra Questions Possible Rule Breach
Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned whether CSK paid more than the regulated amount.
“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?”
Chopra further suggested CSK might have used a gap in the regulations to secure Brevis.
“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 revelations have ignited discussions about IPL’s replacement signing rules and whether reforms are needed ahead of the 2026 mini auction.
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