'I was overwhelmed meeting Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni'- Mumbai player speaks about playing in Indian T20 League

Mumbai's young talent Dewald Brevis was one of the most hyped players ahead of the Indian T20 League 2022. The 19-year-old had just come out of a successful U19 World cup, where he earned the nicknames 'Baby AB' and 'AB 2.0'. He had impressed everyone with his skills to play the most unorthodox shots in the tournament. Post that, the Mumbai team purchased him for the 15th edition of the Indian T20 League.

Speaking of his experience in the cash-rich league, the South Africa-born said it was fun to be around the Mumbai team. "The Indian T20 League was such a great experience. We all know it is the biggest T20 league in the world. The Mumbai team atmosphere was amazing on and off the field. There was always lots of fun, laughter and bonding between everyone in the Mumbai family. It is such a great honour for me to be part of  Mumbai," Brevis told NDTV.

"At first I was overwhelmed meeting the likes of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. I learnt a lot by just listening and speaking to them," he added.

Brevis said that he did not feel pressured while competing in the tournament. He stated that he enjoyed being put in difficult circumstances. "For me as a player, I like playing under pressure. I did not feel any pressure going into the Indian T20 League. I am true to myself and my game. I stay in the moment and I cut all the noise around me. I am going out on the field to enjoy it," he said.

He also recalled speaking with Protea icon AB de Villiers, whom he idolises. "My relationship with AB is special and I don't talk a lot about it. We had conversations after being picked in the auction," he said.

Mumbai did not have a good season in the tournament as they finished at the bottom of the points table. Brevis, however, stated that the team was always focused on following the same processes and that the culture made him feel welcome and comfortable at all times.

"It has been an honour spending time with these legends. They gave me small pieces of advice that helped to improve my game, especially on the mental side. We as a team stuck together and kept following the same processes by training and preparing the same way through the whole tournament. Mumbai made me feel part of the family. I felt so welcome and comfortable in this team. I could be myself in front of everyone," he said.