'Right for the next game' - CSK coach Stephen Fleming provides injury update on star batter

Published - 06 Apr 2026, 10:23 IST | Updated - 06 Apr 2026, 10:31 IST

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has revealed that Dewald Brevis is close to returning to full fitness. The New Zealander is hopeful that the star batter would be fit to take the field in CSK’s next game against the Delhi Capitals on Saturday, April 11.

Brevis has now missed his side’s first three matches of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) as he continues to recover from a side strain. The 22-year-old, however, has been seen in net sessions ahead of the matches, suggesting he is close to starting for the five-time champions in the coming days.

Before the start of their home game against the Punjab Kings, Brevis faced a few throwdowns on the side nets and took part in a fielding drill on matchday. He yet again faced throwdowns on the eve of their game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, without showing any signs of discomfort.

Fleming is therefore optimistic that the South African international will make a comeback into the playing XI against DC. The five-day gap between the two matches is a huge boon for Brevis, allowing him to be available for selection come Saturday evening.

"We hope he is going to be right for the next game. We have five days between the next game. We have been conservative, and hopefully, these next five days go as well as we have planned, and he is ready to go. It's a big loss, but we are looking forward to getting him back,” Fleming said during the RCB vs CSK game, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Brevis joined CSK midway through the 2025 season as an injury replacement and played just six times for the team in yellow. He, however, had a huge impact on the proceedings, scoring 225 runs at a strike-rate of 180 to completely transform the CSK middle order.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side need reinforcements quickly, and the return of Brevis will be a huge positive. Chennai have lost three consecutive games to start the 2026 IPL season and currently find themselves at the foot of the standings with no points and a net run rate of negative 2.517.