South African pacer Gerald Coetzee has had a tremendous 2023 in white-ball cricket and looks well-set to be amongst the most expensive buys going into the IPL 2024 Auction on December 19. The 23-yr old made his international debut this year against West Indies and hasn’t looked back ever since. Coming off from an impressive South Africa 20 League, where he grabbed 17 wickets in 9 matches playing for Johannesburg Super Kings, he grabbed headlines because of his bowling style and aggression.
In Major League Cricket as well, he played for the Indian-based franchise as the parent club played under the name of Texas Super Kings in the American league. He grabbed 8 wickets in 5 matches and is best remembered for his fierce spell against San Francisco United with figures of 4/31.
His exploits in SA20 and MLC granted him a spot in the T20I’s as he made his debut against Australia in August 2023. Gerald Coetzee was called-up for the ODI World Cup in India and ended up being one of the best bowlers of the tournament as he took 20 wickets in his 8 matches during South Africa’s good run to the semi finals, where they comprehensively lost to eventual champions, Australia.
Given his brilliant run in the ODI World Cup, his excellent bowling and his aggression giving nostalgic vibes of ‘Prime Dale Steyn’, franchises will be gunning for his services for their respective team. Coetzee is a right arm fast bowler and has variety of skills in his arsenal, especially his ability to bowl toe-crushing yorkers. Also adding on the fact that Gerald bowled well in the Indian conditions, it is already a proven aspect that he can bowl in Indian conditions. Many franchises, such as Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Chennai Super Kings, who have released foreign pacers, will have the South African on their priority list.