RCB Coach Drops Major Hint, Says This Star Pacer Could Take Home a "Fat Pay Cheque" in IPL Auction

With the IPL 2025 mega auction just around the corner, excitement is building over potential top buys, and RCB’s batting coach Dinesh Karthik has made a bold prediction. He believes that South African pacer Gerald Coetzee could be one of the most sought-after players, securing a significant contract in the auction. Coetzee, currently playing in a T20I series against India, shone in South Africa’s victory in the second T20I, where he not only took a crucial wicket but also contributed valuable runs in the lower order. This all-round performance has made him a hot topic among IPL franchises.

Coetzee’s display in the second T20I was impressive. With South Africa struggling at 86/7, Coetzee came in and scored a quickfire 19 off nine balls, steering his team to victory. Karthik believes such versatility will drive up Coetzee’s price during the auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik said, "I don’t know how much Cricket South Africa is paying him, but I am sure he’ll take home a fat pay cheque in a couple of weeks’ time." He emphasized Coetzee’s growing reputation as a smart and adaptable player, noting, "He’s not just a one-trick pony."

Coetzee previously played for the Mumbai Indians, who purchased him for INR 5 crore ahead of IPL 2024. He took 13 wickets in 10 games but was surprisingly released by the franchise ahead of this year’s auction, opening the door for a potential bidding war. RCB, under Karthik’s guidance, could be one of the interested franchises, especially given that they enter the auction with the second-highest budget of INR 83 crore and have retained key players like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal.

Lucknow Super Giants mentor Zaheer Khan, present with Karthik, also had high praise for Coetzee, emphasizing his dedication to the game. Zaheer noted, "There’s a lot of power in his batting. He looks prepared to play such a role, contributing across all aspects of the game." Coetzee’s focus on enhancing his batting alongside his bowling has only added to his value as an IPL prospect.

As the mega auction approaches, Coetzee’s name is expected to be one of the most anticipated, especially with IPL teams eager to strengthen their rosters with impactful all-round talents.