IPL 2022 | 'Having him as a mentor is special to me' - Dewald Brevis on AB de Villiers

Teenage sensation Dewald Brevis has said that having a mentor like the legendary AB de Villiers is "special" to him, adding that he has grown up idolising the former South African skipper.

Nicknamed 'Baby AB', young Brevis has been the talk of the town ever since he enthralled everyone with his audacious stroke play and consistency during the recent ICC U19 World Cup.

Brevis smashed more than 500 runs (506) in the tournament and scaled Shikhar Dhawan's record of most runs by a player in a single edition.

The Mumbai Indians picked up the 19-year-old for a staggering amount of INR 3 crores, and the youngster lived up to the hype with some brilliant performances in the ongoing season.

Last night, Brevis was at it again as he stitched a crucial 51-run partnership with opener Ishan Kishan during the run-chase of 160 after MI lost their skipper Rohit Sharma for a 13-ball 2.

The stylish right-hander was at his nonchalant best against the spinners. He smashed three monstrous sixes and a four during his 33-ball 37 before getting dismissed by Shardul Thakur.

After the match, Brevis caught up with Tilak Varma, where he opened up about AB de Villiers's massive role in his cricketing journey thus far.

"Yes, look, you're always growing up idolising him, really watch him on TV or next to the field. Ya, I have met him a few times, met him at my school, and attended the same school. So, just to get to know him, he is such a great human being and to learn from him, he gives more pieces of advice, and he is really one of the best. Having him as a mentor is special to me," Brevis said.

Brevis finished the season with 161 runs in seven games at an average of 23 and a strike rate of 142.47, and it was poetic in a way that his knock helped his idol's former franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore qualify for the playoffs.