Not more than three days after Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Mayank Yadav bowled a thunderous delivery of 155.8 kmph, Gerald Coetzee of Mumbai Indians (MI) broke his record.
Although the South African bowler failed to achieve much in his previous three matches, he still registered himself in the record book of fastest deliveries.
Mixed emotions for Coetzee
Gerald Coetzee was picked for five crores by MI in the 2024 IPL players’ auction for his brilliant performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The Proteas fast bowler also shined in the SA20 league last year, where he clinched 23 wickets. But Coetzee is somehow losing his spark in this year’s IPL, as he has taken only 3 wickets in his last three matches and went wicketless in MI’s match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Wankhede.
Despite some disappointing figures, he still managed to get something to flaunt. He not only delivered the fastest ball of the season by clocking the speed of 157.4 kmph, but also bowled one of the fastest balls in the IPL history. His fastest delivery came in the 15th over of the match, and was the third ball of the over. Unfortunately, it became the last ball of the game as the white leather was hit for the winning runs by Rajasthan batter Riyan Parag.
The Mumbai camp will expect some match-winning spells from Coetzee, as the five-time champions still need to win their first match of the season and are lying at the bottom of the table.
Top 5 fastest deliveries of IPL 2024 so far:
- 157.4 kmph – Gerald Coetzee – MI vs RR
- 155.8 kmph – Mayank Yadav – LSG vs PBKS
- 153.9 kmph – Mayank Yadav – LSG vs PBKS
- 153.4 kmph – Mayank Yadav – LSG vs PBKS
- 153 kmph – Nandre Burger – RR vs DC