Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed New Zealand's cricket legend Tim Southee as their Bowling Coach for the upcoming Tata IPL 2026 season.
Southee's rich international experience, tactical acumen,
and prior stint with the franchise are expected to bring immense value to KKR's backroom staff.
A stalwart of New Zealand cricket for over 15 years, Southee stands among the finest fast bowlers of his generation. With more than 100 Test matches, 150 ODIs, and 120 T20 Internationals to his name, he has taken over 700 wickets across formats. Famous for his swing, precision, and leadership, Southee has captained New Zealand in all formats and was instrumental in their 2019 ICC World Cup run as well as the 2021 ICC World Test Championship triumph.
Southee shares a strong connection with the Knight Riders, having represented KKR in the IPL between 2021 and 2023. During his playing days, his professionalism and mentoring nature made a lasting impact on the team, both on and off the field, before his retirement from international cricket in 2025.
Venky Mysore, CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders, said: "We are delighted to welcome Tim Southee back to the KKR family, this time in a coaching capacity. Tim's vast experience and technical expertise will be instrumental in shaping our bowling unit. His leadership qualities and calm approach make him an ideal mentor for our young bowlers. "
Expressing his joy about rejoining the franchise, Southee said, "KKR has always felt like home to me, and it's an honour to return in this new role. The franchise has an incredible culture, passionate fans, and a great group of players. I look forward to working closely with the bowlers and helping the team achieve success in IPL 2026. "
