South African pace bowling sensation Gerald Coetzee is currently in exceptional form, showcasing his prowess in the recently concluded World Cup where he delivered outstanding bowling performances. The 23-year-old impressed by dismantling formidable batting lineups. Determined to give his best in the upcoming IND vs SA Boxing Day Test, Coetzee asserts that the upcoming Test series won’t be a one-sided affair.
Gerald Coetzee amped up for IND vs SA
With the historic Test series on the horizon, Coetzee expresses excitement about facing cricketing giants like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The Bloemfontein-based speedster acknowledges that the upcoming Test series poses one of the toughest challenges in his international cricket career.
Nevertheless, he eagerly anticipates the opportunity to take on this formidable challenge and test his skills against some of the best in the game.
“The Test series against India will be my toughest challenge in the longest format. I want to test myself against the best. Virat Kohli and Rohit are big players. I am a competitor and want to be tested at the highest level. But for them, I don’t think it will be anything new. They are class batters. I will be a great learning experience for me.” Coetzee told RevSportz.
Additionally, Coetzee disclosed that he looked up to Dale Steyn during his formative years, acknowledging Steyn’s crucial role in guiding him through the challenges of the red-ball format.
“My cricketing hero was Dale Steyn. I met him when I was going through a rough patch in red-ball cricket. He was very helpful and we had coffee together. I share a good relationship with him and hopefully, I play under him in the future,” he added.
In his year-long international career, Coetzee has made a significant impact in the longest format. With just two Test matches under his belt, he boasts an impressive average of just under 16 and has taken nine wickets, including his best bowling figures of 6/78 against the West Indies. Mumbai Indians (MI) recognized his talent and secured his services for a significant INR 5 crore ahead of In.
