3 teams that should target Gerald Coetzee at IPL 2026 auction ft. RCB

Gujarat Titans (GT) released South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee from their squad ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Apart from the Proteas pacer, the 2022 winners also released Mahipal Lomror, Karim Janat, Dasun Shanaka, and Kulwant Khejroliya, while Sherfane Rutherford was traded to Mumbai Indians (MI).

Coetzee played only four matches for GT in IPL 2025. The right-arm pacer claimed two wickets at a strike rate of 36. In his overall IPL career, the 25-year-old has featured in 14 matches and has claimed 15 wickets at an average of 31.46, with the aid of one four-fer.

The South Africa pace bowler was purchased by the Gujarat franchise at the IPL 2025 mega auction for ₹2.40 crore. In this feature, we look at three teams that can target Coetzee at the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

#1 Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals (DC) have retained pacers Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera and T Natarajan ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Starc came up with some fantastic performances in the 2025 edition. However, Natarajan looked completely out of rhythm in the few deliveries that he bowled. Chameera too was expensive, going at over 11 runs per over.

DC were heavily dependent on Starc to deliver the good in the bowling department. They ended up paying the price for some rather poor bowling efforts during the competition. Thus, despite starting the season with four wins, the Delhi franchise failed to reach the playoffs.

DC can look at Coetzee as a potential bowling partner for Starc. The Proteas cricketer is also a handy lower order batter and could provide support to someone like Ashutosh Sharma in the end overs. Delhi have a purse of ₹21.80 crore and five overseas slots remaining for the IPL 2026 auction. They have good enough reasons to target Coetzee.

#2 Chennai Super Kings

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK), somewhat surprisingly, released Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The right-arm pacer did have an underwhelming IPL 2025 season, claiming 13 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of over 10. Many experts and fans, though, expected CSK to back him, given his game-changing ability.

Chennai do have the likes of Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary as well as all-rounder Jamie Overton as pace bowling options for the next season. However, they would want a frontline overseas fast bowler in the squad in case they are unable (or don't want to) to buy back Pathirana at the IPL 2026 mini-auction next month.

Coetzee could be among the overseas bowlers on their list. He has come up with some impressive performances with the ball for South Africa and has won them matches with the bat as well. He has the potential to be groomed by CSK into a match-winner. CSK have a huge purse of ₹43.40 crore and four overseas slots left for the auction. Coetzee can fit into their squad as an overseas buy.

#3 Royal Challengers Bengaluru

On expected lines, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have retained the core of their IPL 2025 squad. If we look at their fast bowling options for the upcoming season, they have proven performers while Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal too has done well for the franchise in the last couple of seasons.

RCB, however, released South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. They could look at Ngidi's Proteas teammate as a replacement. Bengaluru need a backup overseas pacer considering that their No.1 match-winner with the ball, Hazlewood, is also prone to injuries and fitness issues.

Coetzee is a feisty character and can fit well into the RCB camp. Following retentions and releases, Bengaluru have a limited purse of ₹16.40 crore for the IPL 2026 auction, and two overseas slots lot. They can look to target South Africa's Coetzee as a potential cover for Hazlewood in case the latter gets injured again.

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert