MS Dhoni always kept his door open for advice: Dewald Brevis recalls CSK journey

South Africa’s young batting talent Dewald Brevis has reflected on his short but meaningful stint with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, describing it as a career-shaping experience. While CSK endured a disappointing season, Brevis said sharing a dressing room with MS Dhoni was unforgettable, especially because of the former India captain’s humility and openness.

Speaking on AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel, Brevis recalled how Dhoni always made himself available to teammates, often welcoming them into his room to chat about cricket, hobbies, or life in general. He said the former India captain’s presence was as inspiring off the field as it was in matches.

“I always tell people it was an amazing experience...The one thing I can say about MS is how humble he is as a person—that really stood out for me. Off the field, the time he gives to players and people is special," Brevis said.

"His door is always open. If he’s sleeping, that’s the only time it’s closed. I’ve often found myself in his room, just sitting there, chatting about cricket or his hobbies. Everyone knows what he does on the field and at training, but off the field he’s just as inspiring. I really enjoyed my time there,” he added.

Brevis was signed as an injury replacement for Gurjapneet Singh, and he quickly made his mark in yellow. Across six games, he amassed 225 runs at an average of 37.50 and a strike rate of 180, providing CSK’s middle order with much-needed impetus. Though the Super Kings ended with only four wins and finished bottom of the table for the first time, Brevis’s performances stood out in an otherwise disappointing season.

His IPL success came on the back of a sensational spell in international cricket. Earlier in the year, Brevis smashed an unbeaten 125 against Australia in a T20I — the fastest century ever by a South African in the format — a knock that catapulted him up the ICC rankings and cemented his place as one of the brightest young batting stars in world cricket.

For Brevis, 2025 has already been a defining year. Between record-breaking international performances and the chance to learn directly from Dhoni and Stephen Fleming at CSK, the 21-year-old says the experience has only strengthened his hunger to keep improving at the highest level.