Gerald Coetzee joins Sunrisers Hyderabad as injury replacement for David Payne

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have brought Gerald Coetzee as the injury replacement for David Payne for the remainder of the ongoing IPL 2026 season. SRH have acquired the services of the South African pacer for INR two crore.

Coetzee, 25, has snared 15 wickets in 14 IPL games at an average of 31.46 and an economy rate of 10.37, including a four-wicket haul. The right-arm seamer played 10 IPL matches for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2024 season and represented Gujarat Titans (GT) in four matches in the previous edition. He has played a total of 85 T20 games and bagged 109 wickets at an average of 22.99 and an economy rate of 8.74.

Coetzee's addition is expected to add depth to SRH's bowling attack, which seems to be struggling to defend totals, even the ones in excess of 200. Unlike Payne, who had played a solitary international game, Coetzee comes with a wealth of international experience.

He has snared 22 wickets in 18 T20Is at an average of 25.90 and an economy rate of 9.24. In 14 ODIs, the Protea has bagged 31 poles at an average of 23.22 at 6.48 runs per over, including two four-fers. He has also had a taste of red-ball cricket, claiming 14 wickets across eight innings of four Tests at an average of 23.57.

For the unversed, Payne was ruled out for the remainder of the IPL due to an ankle injury sustained during practice.

SRH prepare to face CSK at home

Sunrisers Hyderabad are prepping to take on the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in match No. 27 of the ongoing season at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on April 18.

SRH are fourth on the points table with two wins and three losses after five games, whereas the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side is eighth with the same points but are languishing at eighth due to a feeble net run rate (NRR).