Runs, wickets, crazy catches, he’s had them all. Dewald Brevis was always talked about as this prodigy, but he’s had a tough couple of seaons at the start. But come 2025, he seems to have announced his arrival in some style. Here he is, at the post-match press conference at the end of his epic 32-ball 73-run knock against the Pretoria Capitals. Excerpts..

On MI Cape Town’s consistent run in the tournament 

I’m very grateful for it. We are playing well as a team so that is the best. Really great to contribute for the team. All of us are team players. We are giving it our all. 

On his own game 

I am really enjoying the cricket. Focusing on a few things, one of them is playing with a smile. The team is doing great and everyone is just doing what they have to do.

On the discussions with Reeza Hendricks in the middle 

It’s the first time I think I’m batting with Reeza Hendricks. I told him I need to go on one knee and try and sweep. But he told me to focus on hitting it straight. In the end when he hit that beautiful six, he told me the same thing that he wanted to lap it. Then I told him the same thing that the bowler was under pressure and would miss. We complemented each other well. He is a great timer of the ball and he batted unreal. We were calm out there. Just watching the ball and staying in the moment. 

On his superb bowling form 

There’s only one person I can give credit to. It is someone I have been working with in the IPL and over here for the past three years. It is Rahul Sanghvi. He is so special. He lit the fire inside me with the leg-spin. He helps me a lot. I’ve bowled a thousand balls in the IPL and here. Rash (Rashid Khan) as well. We talk so much about bowling. We warm up together. I watch how he does things. Great to have him as a captain and a leg-spinner. I love bowling. 

On turning things around after a quiet couple of seasons 

Cricket is a roller-coaster. You have your ups and downs. The one thing I am focusing on now is to be Dewald and to play the way I want to play. That’s how I played when I got onto the scene and in school. I am finding ways to be consistent in that way. There was a phase when I listened to a lot of people and I tried to be too clever. I tried to figure out the game. There is something I am doing that leads to being Dewald Brevis. That’s the main thing I want to do. I want to play with a smile and enjoy it. 

Plans for the playoffs

Definitely the important part of the tournament we are entering now. Everyone has to contribute and we have to play well as a team. Everyone’s going to get turns. You want to be that guy at every single game, whether it is fielding, batting, bowling. We take it game by game, ball by ball and off the field we stay close to each other as well. 
On what goes on in his head while hitting sixes 

I love it. It’s just about watching it and playing the ball. Whether it is short or it is full, we have to try and hit the middle of the bat. Just playing the ball on merit. It went well and I’m grateful for it.