 "'Is there a loophole there?': Aakash Chopra questions CSK-Brevis deal after Ashwin's explosive revelation")
R Ashwin’s explosive revelation that his team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), paid whatever hard-hitting Dewald Brevis demanded to sign him midway during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has kicked off conversations around teams exploiting a loophole while signing replacement players. One of the major names asking the question is former Indian batter Aakash Chopra.
‘Baby AB’ Bravis went unsold in IPL 2025 mega auction, but joined CSK midway during the tournament as an injury replacement for Gurjapneet Singh. As per the IPL media release, Brevis was signed by CSK for Rs 2.2 crore , the amount Chennai had paid for the left-arm medium fast bowler in the auction.
But Ashwin’s latest revelation has raised questions that CSK may have paid more than what IPL allowed them to dish out. As per the rule in IPL, the cost of a replacement player cannot exceed the player he is replacing.
During a chat on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said many franchises could not sign Brevis due to his steep ask, but CSK agreed to it. He, however, did not say whether it was more than Rs 2.2 crore.
“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,” Ashwin said.
“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.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAakash Chopra questions CSK signing Brevis
Aakash Chopra has questioned whether CSK paid more money to Brevis, who recently hit a T20I century vs Australia, than what is officially allowed.
“He didn’t play the first match, but after that, he batted extremely well and took an incredible catch on the boundary. 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 said in his YouTube show.
“You get your total salary on a pro-rata basis. It cannot be lower than your base price. In Dewald Brevis’ case, it couldn’t have been lower than Rs 75 lakh, and couldn’t have been above Rs 2.20 crore, the salary of Gurjapneet Singh,” he added.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
