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As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mini-auction approaches, South Africa pacer Gerald Coetzee has emerged as one of the most sought-after prospects following his standout performance in the ICC Men’s Cricket ODI World Cup 2023. The right-arm pacer has accumulated an impressive record of 20 wickets in eight matches at an average of 19.80 and an economy of 6.23, positioning him as a one of the top contender in the auction.
Ravichandran Ashwin predicts the team that will target Gerald Coetzee in IPL 2024 auction
Speaking on his Youtube channel, renowned Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has predicted that Mumbai Indians (MI) will be the team in pursuit of Coetzee. Ashwin has described Coetzee as a player perfectly suited for the Mumbai-based franchise, citing his skills and potential contribution to the team’s dynamics. Interestingly, the right-arm off spinner has suggested that MI might not have pursued Australian pacer Mitchell Starc despite the team’s significant purse of INR 17.75 crore for the mini-auction.
“Gerald Coetzee is a very Mumbai Indians player. That blue jersey with gold on him, bowling at the Wankhede Stadium, bustling in—he looks like an MI sort of a player. If they don’t get anybody, I think they are going for him. In my view, they might not even go for Mitchell Starc,” Ashwin said.
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Potential bidding war for Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc
Ashwin has also anticipated a potential bidding war among franchises for Australian pacers Pat Cummins and Starc at the IPL 2024 auction. While acknowledging the duo’s exceptional talent, he has raised concerns about their availability due to scheduling conflicts with the Ashes and the T20 World Cup 2024. The Chennai-born cricketer has suggested that the decision of Cummins and Starc to opt out of the IPL might not be surprising given the calendar clashes.
“Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are the only two fresh guys. Though there are guys like Rachin Ravindra, Gerald Coetzee, and a few other names, it looks pretty sure that these are the two names everybody wants to acquire. The Ashes is going to come, as is the T20 World Cup, and there is a heavy chance that Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are going to pull out of the tournament, and it is there in their histories,” the 37-year-old concluded.
