IPL: Dewald Brevis accused of 'lack of awareness' in bizarre DRS mix-up

It was a simple lapse in awareness that led to Dewald Brevis' premature departure, a turning point in Chennai Super Kings' chase against Royal Challengers Bangalore at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

CSK, chasing 214, were in the midst of a tense run-chase when disaster struck in the 17th over. Lungi Ngidi bowled a knee-high full toss on middle and leg stump, which Brevis missed and was struck on the pad. Umpire Nitin Menon raised his finger immediately, and in line with IPL regulations, the 15-second countdown for a potential review began the moment the ball was deemed dead.

However, neither Brevis nor his partner, Ravindra Jadeja, seemed fully aware of the urgency of the situation. As they completed a single, both players appeared unsure of the review process, continuing to run while the timer ticked away. A direct hit from the fielder at the non-striker's end added to the confusion. By the time Brevis and Jadeja realized they needed to review, the window had closed. The 15-second limit had expired, and with it, the opportunity for a crucial review that could have saved Brevis.

As the two CSK players debated with the umpires, it became clear that this was a missed chance to halt what would soon be a costly mistake. The decision stood, and Brevis was forced to walk off, dismissed for a duck on his first ball. Worse still, replays revealed that the delivery had actually been sliding down leg, meaning Brevis would likely have been cleared had he requested the review in time.

CSK's head coach, Stephen Fleming, reflected on the situation post-match, acknowledging the weight of the moment. "It was a big turning point," he said. "I think the confusion with the running, seeing the ball go for four, and then realizing too late that the review timer had expired - that was the issue. Brevis wasn't sure what was happening, and by the time they tried to review, the clock had run out."

While acknowledging the momentum shift caused by the incident, Fleming also recognized the missed opportunity. "Had we reviewed in time, we wouldn't have lost the wicket, and we'd have kept the runs. But that's the game. Big moments, big decisions."

The IPL 2025 playing conditions clearly state that the review must be requested within 15 seconds after the ball becomes dead, and this time limit proved crucial. Experts on ESPNcricinfo were quick to point out that the situation boiled down to a "lack of awareness" from Brevis and Jadeja.

Danny Morrison, in particular, was baffled by the duo's hesitation. "Why are you saving your reviews? It's not like they get a bonus for unused ones," he quipped. Piyush Chawla, too, was adamant that a review should have been requested immediately. "It's a no-brainer. With three and a half overs to go, you don't wait. A batter like Brevis, in form, should have gone for it instantly," Chawla noted.

Brevis, who had scored 42 and 32 in his last two outings, was dismissed with CSK needing 42 off the final 21 balls. They fell just two runs short in the end, a near-miss that stung even more given the circumstances of his wicket.

Ultimately, the lesson was clear: awareness and quick thinking can make all the difference in a match where every ball counts. As CSK reflected on what was nearly a remarkable chase, the reality of missed opportunities would linger long after the final ball was bowled.

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