Sunrisers Hyderabad Sign Coetzee for Injured Payne

Sunrisers Hyderabad signed South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee on Wednesday as a replacement for the injured David Payne, bolstering their pace attack for the remainder of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The move comes amid the franchise's efforts to stabilize their bowling unit during a mixed start to the tournament.

Payne, a left-arm seamer who joined Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier as a cover player, has been ruled out due to a persistent ankle injury. He featured in just two matches, claiming two wickets on debut against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he dismissed captain Rajat Patidar and wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma for figures of 2-35 in three overs. In his subsequent outing against Kolkata Knight Riders, Payne went wicketless, conceding 35 runs in two overs. The injury ends his brief stint with the team prematurely.

Coetzee, a right-arm pacer known for his speeds exceeding 145 kmph and aggressive style, joins for a fee of Rs 2 crore. He brings substantial international experience, having represented South Africa in four Tests, 14 One-Day Internationals, and 18 Twenty20 Internationals, where he has taken 67 wickets. His last Test appearance was in 2024, and his...