Meet 'Baby AB' Dewald Brevis, the U19 star for South Africa

Dewald Brevis has well and truly managed to grab the attention of all cricket fans across the globe. The South African has been scoring runs for fun in the ongoing U19 World Cup 2021. So much so that there have been talks of him ruling the cricketing world. It is an absolute pity that his side got knocked out during the quarter-final.

Advertisment

Popularly known as "Baby AB", Brevis has scored the most number of runs in this edition of the U19 WC so far. In the four innings in which he played, the youngster scored 362 runs at a whopping average of 90.50. This includes a century, as well as two 90+ scores. Thus, the hype around him is truly deserving. As a matter of fact, he idolizes the Proteas legend AB de Villiers, and has a batting style similar to him as well.

Just like the former Proteas captain, Brevis can bat 360°, and can hit the ball to any corner of the ground. Besides, like de Villiers, he too likes to wear the number 17 jersey. When Brevis first met his idol, he had asked him if he could don the number 17 jersey. Thus, owing to his love for the legend, alongside the similarities he shared with him, Brevis was given the nickname "Baby AB".

As far as his stats go, he has played seven games so far in his career. In these seven games, he has scored 386 runs at an average of 55.14, including one century, 37 boundaries, and eleven sixes. Thus, with such credentials to his name at such a young age, it wouldn't be an overstatement to call him the next big thing in South African cricket. As for his future plans, Brevis has registered his name for the upcoming mega auction of the Indian T20 league as well.

Advertisment

Taking his talent into account, franchises would see this as an absolute win. A top-order batter who can hit the ball a long way, and has the 360° game with him. However, the 18-year-old is keen on representing  Bangalore. As Baby AB is a fan of de Villiers, who has represented the Bangalore-based franchise, it shouldn't come as a surprise.

“For me, the biggest dream is to play for the Proteas and then I am such a big fan of the IPL, I would love to play for RCB because AB (de Villiers) and (Virat) Kohli are there,” said Brevis in a video posted on the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“Also, all the other T20 competitions around the world. I want to be recognized as an all-rounder with my leg-spin bowling. I want to play all three formats,” he added. Thus, it will be exciting to watch him go down the hammer this time around. With the retirement of one jersey number 17, RCB might just end up welcoming another jersey number 17, who bats like his predecessor as too.