South Africa U-19 batter Dewald Brevis was acquired by Mumbai Indians for Rs 3 crore in the ongoing Indian Premier League mega auction on Saturday.
The young cricketer is also nicknamed ‘Baby AB de Villiers’.
Initially registered for a base price of Rs 20 Lakh, the right-hand batter led to a high-voltage bidding war between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings. But it was Mumbai Indians who snapped away the youngsters for Rs 3 crore.
Dewald had an impressive run in the recently-concluded Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean. The Proteas colts might not have made it to the knockouts but the 18-year-old ended the tournament as the highest run-scorer, amassing 506 runs in six games, including two hundreds and three half-centuries.
He was also adjudged as the Player of the Tournament.
Brevis has many similarities with how AB used to bat. With a wide-legged stance, smooth bat flow and exquisite stroke-play, Brevis has been labelled the next big thing in the cricketing world. However, the 18-year-old says he never intentionally copied ABD.
