Ravichandran Ashwin Recalls Telling Multiple IPL Teams to Pick Tim David Before 2025 Auction 

Ravichandran Ashwin praised Tim David for his role in turning RCB's fortunes around in IPL 2025, calling him instrumental to their success.

Ravichandran Ashwin Recalls Telling Multiple IPL Teams to Pick Tim David Before 2025 Auction 

Ravichandran Ashwin disclosed that he had advised IPL teams ahead of the 2025 season to sign Tim David. (via Mint)

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Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin disclosed that he had advised several IPL teams to pick Australian batter Tim David, ahead of the 2025 auction. However, the teams did not heed Ashwin’s advice, stating that the player’s performance had recently declined.

Tim David, over the last few years, has established himself as one of the most formidable finishers in T20 cricket. The 29-year-old recently scored his maiden T20I century, hitting a match-winning 102 runs from just 37 deliveries, against West Indies. Following this impressive display, David continued his remarkable run, scoring 83 and 50 in Australia’s first two T20Is against South Africa in an ongoing home series.

David’s journey in the IPL has been a mixed experience since his debut with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2021. A season later, the 29-year-old was acquired by the Mumbai Indians for INR 8.25 crore, where he amassed 657 runs at a strike rate of over 150 and an average close to 30, in three seasons. However, the Australian all-rounder was released from the MI squad before the 2025 IPL auction.

It was anticipated that Tim David would attract a lot of interest from several teams at the 2025 auction, but this was not the case. Only his former franchise, RCB, and Sunrisers Hyderabad showed interest in acquiring him.

The 29-year-old ultimately made his return to Bengaluru for just INR 3 crore. It was with RCB that David made a pivotal impact, helping the team secure their first-ever IPL title. David concluded the season with 187 runs in 12 matches, maintaining an average of 62.33 and a strike rate of 185.15.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, on his YouTube channel, recently stated that the talented Aussie batsman was a significant bargain for RCB. Ashwin further disclosed that he had personally advised several IPL franchises before the 2025 auction to consider Tim David as a prospect, but noted that none of the teams paid attention, citing the dip in David’s form as their reason for not pursuing him.

I shouldn’t say this but I told the decision makers of a few IPL teams to pick him [Tim David] before the last auction. They all said, ‘No, his game has dropped off drastically.

Moreover, R Ashwin also offered his perspective on the future of T20 cricket, expressing his belief that it will be dominated by tall, physically imposing batters who can play aggressively. He further commented that Tim David has elevated his game to a new level and commended the Australian team for promoting him up the batting order to fully utilize his skills, beyond those of a lower-order finisher.

A player [Tim David] RCB picked up at base price (INR 3 crore) has taken his game to the next level. It’s good to see Australia sending him up the order. A real steal for RCB.

Ashwin also made predictions for players who could attract interest at the 2026 IPL auction, including Cameron Green and Mitchell Owen. Returning to Tim David, the 29-year-old, after his commitments in the T20I series against South Africa, will next play for Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL.

Ravichandran Ashwin Lifts the Lid on CSK’s Smart Strategy to Sign Dewald Brevis

Dewald Brevis proved to be the best injury replacement signing in the 2025 IPL season, following his crucial performances with Chennai Super Kings. However, Ravichandran Ashwin has now revealed the strategic planning the team undertook to secure the 22-year-old South African.

R Ashwin on Dewald Brevis
Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that CSK pulled off a brilliant move by signing Dewald Brevis, last season. (via India Today)

Ashwin acknowledged that the Men in Yellow executed a brilliant move to acquire Brevis’s services, overcoming strong interest from other franchises. He praised CSK’s smart strategy to sign the young batter, to replace Gurjapneet Singh, by offering him a contract more than his base price of INR 75 lakh. Other teams were unwilling to do so, which allowed CSK to lure Brevis after negotiations with his agents.

[Dewald] Brevis had a wild second half of the season for CSK. I heard 2-3 teams were in talks with him, but they weren’t willing to pay extra, so negotiations fell through.

CSK’s daring move paid off, as Dewald Brevis finished the second half of the season with 250 runs in just six matches, at an average of 37.5 and a strike rate of 180. He has since continued his form, having recently scored his first T20I century for South Africa, against Australia.