Mumbai Indians(MI) are the most successful IPL franchise in the history of the tournament. However, in IPL 2024, the performance of the team did not come up to the mark, and they finished at the bottom of the points table. Now as the IPL mega auction 2025 is on the way, the franchise will look to strengthen its team’s capacity. Two players – Tim David and Dewald Brevis has impressed much with their power hitting and it will be interesting to see if Mumbai Indian look to keep one of them or not.
Dewald Brevis T20s Stats
Dewald Brevis, often referred to as “Baby AB” due to his resemblance to AB de Villiers in playing style, has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in the T20 world. Since his T20 debut in 2021, Brevis has played 69 matches, where he has scored 1,496 runs at an average of 24.12, with a highest score of 162. The fact that he scored 162 in a T20 match demonstrates his immense power-hitting ability and the potential to play match-defining innings. His strike rate and consistency in scoring have made him a valuable asset for MI.
While Brevis is primarily known for his batting, he is also a handy bowler who has picked up 15 wickets in T20s with a best bowling performance of 2/19 and a bowling average of 22.93. Although his bowling may not be a primary weapon for MI, his ability to contribute with the ball adds an extra dimension to his role in the team.
Brevis has also been solid in the field. He has grabbed 30 catches so far in his T20 career.
Tim David T20s Stats
On the other hand, Tim David, a T20 globetrotter from Singapore, brings with him a wealth of experience. With 251 T20 matches under his belt, David has scored an impressive 4,837 runs at an average of 29.67 and a strike rate of 160.21. What stands out is his ability to finish games, something he has proven time and again in various T20 leagues around the world. His highest score of 92* and his 15 half-centuries show that he is not just a pinch-hitter but someone who can build innings and take his team over the line.
Tim David is a specialist when it comes to finishing matches, a skill set that is invaluable in the IPL. His ability to hit towering sixes (298 sixes in T20s) makes him one of the most dangerous lower-order batsmen in T20 cricket. David’s strike rate of over 160 reflects his explosiveness and consistency in delivering power-packed innings at the back end of a match. His 335 fours also highlight his adaptability in rotating strike when required.
Though David doesn’t bowl much, his primary role as a finisher and middle-order aggressor fits perfectly into the MI setup. With 30-year-old Kieron Pollard having retired, David has assumed the role of the finisher for MI, making significant contributions in close matches. His calmness under pressure and ability to chase down big targets make him an invaluable player in high-stakes games.
Comparative Analysis
1. Batting Ability:
Both Brevis and David are explosive hitters, but their roles are slightly different. Brevis can bat in the top order and has the ability to build innings and go big, as shown by his remarkable highest score of 162. David on the other hand is primarily a lower-order batsman who specializes in finishing games. While Brevis’s batting average (24.12) is slightly lower than David’s (29.67). He compensates for it with his versatility to anchor the innings as well as power-hitting. David’s strength lies in his ability to maintain a strike rate of 160.21 over a long career.
2. Experience:
Tim David clearly has the upper hand in terms of experience. He has played 251 T20 matches as compared to Brevis, who has played 69. His familiarity with pressure situations, especially in leagues across the globe, makes him a demandable guy.
3. Bowling Contribution:
Brevis’s ability to chip in with the ball adds an extra string to his bow. His 15 wickets at a bowling average of 22.93, though not spectacular, show that he can contribute as a part-time bowler, which provides MI with more options. Tim David rarely bowls, making Brevis more valuable as an all-rounder.
4. Fielding:
Both players are solid fielders, with Brevis taking 30 catches. On the other hand, Tim David has got 145 catches in his T20 cricket career.
Conclusion: Who Should MI Retain for IPL 2025?
Mumbai Indians must weigh their current needs against future planning for IPL 2025. Ideally, MI would want to retain both players, but if forced to choose, Tim David offers more immediate value over Dewald Brevis.
