Pune: There cannot be a bigger compliment for a young cricketer than two of the game's greats stepping onto the field during a break to applaud his effortless clean hitting.
Dewald Brevis, Mumbai India's young batter from South Africa, earned that honour on Wednesday night soon after he launched an extra-ordinary assault on Punjab Kings spinner Rahul Chahar, hitting him for 4, 6, 6, 6, 6 in an over.
Soon after his sensational assault on the leggie, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, team's mentor, Mahela Jayawardene, Mumbai Indians' head coach, Robin Singh, team's assistant coach, and captain Rohit Sharma made their way into the centre during the strategic time-out that followed soon after. Both Tendulkar and Jayawardene were smiling while talking to Brevis.
Brevis' 49 and his partnership with Tilak Varma rescued Mumbai Indians from a precarious 32/2 in the chase of the target of 199 set by Punjab Kings. Though Mumbai Indians eventually fell short by 12 runs, Brevis's clean hitting and the four stars' gesture of appreciation will stay with the fans for a long time.
Brevis has gained a reputation as Baby AB -- a reference to his illustrious predecessor AB de Villiers -- for his exploits during the recent U-19 World Cup. His talent was never in doubt, Brevis, who had a base price of Rs 20 lakh, was a hot pick in the IPL mega auction and Mumbai Indians got him for Rs 3 crore.
Though he did not make much of an impact in his first two matches for Mumbai, Brevis made up for that with his assault on Chahar.
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